Equisetum fluviatile
Horsetail
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Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) - Description
The water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), also known as the Swamp Horsetail, is a perennial horsetail that commonly grows in dense colonies along freshwater shorelines or in shallow water, growing in ponds, swamps, ditches, and other sluggish or still waters with mud bottoms. It is a herbaceous species, growing 30-100 cm (rarely 140 cm) tall with erect dark green stems 2-8 mm in diameter, smooth, with about 10-30 fine ridges.
Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) - Blooming
No flowers. Instead, Horsetails reproduce by spores. Light-brown strobili appear on the stem tips from summer to fall.
Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) - Growth
It is best to grow Equisetum in containers because they are highly invasive plants. Sink the containers into the ground with the lip kept above ground level. For aquatic species, emerge plants up to 6" (15cm) deep in the water. Make sure to raise Horsetails in a site that receives full sun.Aquatic Horsetails work great for water gardens. Where not hardy, grow aquatic Equisetum at indoor pool margins.
Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) - Planting
Propagate from divisions in spring or fall and plant the divisions right after removal.
Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) - Pest
Affected by root rot or blight on occasion.
Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) - Interesting facts
Horsetails have an interesting history. First off, they are known to be an "ancient" plant. They don't produce flowers or fruit, and their leaves are not made for collecting energy from the sun. The fossil record shows that they (or at least closely related species) were around at the same time that dinosaurs were.Additionally, they are sometimes called Scouring Rush, which is a play on words for scouring brush. This is because of a physical quality of their stems. Horsetails absorb a relatively high amount of silica from the soil, which they deposit in their stems. This is thought to give the stems some extra physical strength. Silica is basically glass and the linear deposits of silica in the stems give the Horsetails a rough feel to it. Early pioneers would pluck some stems and use them to scour their dirty pots and pans. You shouldn't worry too much about the constant plucking of Horsetails to use as a scouring brush. They have a vigorous, underground root and stem system that can pop up new stems quickly.
Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) - Soil and irrigation
Use a soil-based potting mix for dry-land species and water moderately during the growing season. Soilless potting mix works best for aquatic Horsetails.
