Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale var. affine)

   
 

Overview with a few large stems of Cattail mixed in; cones and stems, Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, Centennial Museum. Photographs by A.H. Harris.

• Common English Names: Horsetail, Scouring Rush, Common Scouring Rush, Rough Scouring Rush, Bottlebrush, Field Horsetail, Rough Horsetail, Pewterwort, Dutch Rush
• Common Spanish Names: Cañuela, Cola de Caballo
• Scientific Name: Equisetum hyemale var. affinis
• Family: Equisetaceae (Horsetail Family)
• Geographic Range: Northern Hemisphere, south in North America to Mexico
• Plant Form: Tall, slender, bamboo-like, evergreen perennials, up to 5+' H. Stems up to 1/2" diameter.
• Remarks: Superficially like reeds, but jointed, fluted stems and reproducing by spores from cone-like structures. High moisture, sunl to full shade. Spreads by underground rhizomes. The high content of silica in the stems renders the plant useful for scouring utensils--thus the name--as well as for putting a fine polish on wood or metal.

Last Update: 27 Jun 2002