Horse Tail

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	Field horsetail
Scientific name	Equisetum arvense
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Polypodiopsida
Order	Equisetales
Family	Equisetaceae
Genus	Equisetum
Conservation status	Least Concern
Type	Herbaceous perennial with jointed stems
Habitat	Boggy, wet or swampy ground
Colours	Green, hollow, ridged stems
Height	Up to 4 ft
Special feature	No flowers or leaves; family is 400 million years old

The order Equisetales has only one living family, the horsetail family (Equisetaceae), and its single surviving genus, Equisetum, has about 20 species. Many related plants are known only from fossils. The species on this page, Equisetum arvense, is also called common horsetail or field horsetail. It is a perennial plant with green, jointed stems, and although it looks a little like a grass or a tiny pine tree, it is actually related to ferns and makes spores instead of seeds. Horsetail can be harmful to cattle and especially horses if they eat a lot of it, because it contains a substance that destroys vitamin B1 in their bodies.

History

Horsetails belong to one of the oldest plant groups on Earth. Their ancestors appeared more than 300 million years ago, and some ancient relatives grew into trees many meters tall! The stems contain silica, a gritty mineral, so people once used them to scrub pots and polish metal, which gave them the nickname “scouring rush.” Horsetail has also been used as a traditional remedy since ancient Greek and Roman times.

Anatomy

The stem of horse tail plant is green in color and undergoes photosynthesis. And they are distinctive in being jointed, hollow and ridged. It does not have flowers and leaves. For food it depends on the chlorophyll present in the stem. Its shoot and stem are hollow.

Habitat

Soil

The Horsetail plant grows in rich, moist soil. It prefers acidic soil. Clay, sandy and loamy soil are also ideal for them. It grows well in swampy areas.

Planting

The Horsetail is a versatile plant. It grows in any waterlogged area. Horsetail is a good pond plant for growing at home. It grows up to 4 feet tall. Growing a horse tail is not a difficult task if they receive right conditions.

Water

The Horsetail plant is fond of boggy or wet areas. They require watering daily. After planting they need water immediately to keep the soil moist

Care

This plant grows well in full or partial sunlight. It cannot tolerate shady areas. It does not need extra fertilization because it is not good for them..

Harvest

Horsetail stems are usually gathered in summer. They are cut, tied in bundles and hung in a cool, dark, airy place to dry. Once dry, they can be stored whole or crumbled in an airtight container for up to about a year. Dried stems are also used in flower arrangements and crafts.

Pests and Disease

Many pests and diseases affect the horsetail plant. Pests like Aphids damage the plants. Insects, slugs and caterpillars also affect the plant. To control the disease, the anti fungal preparation method is ideal.

Uses

Horsetail plants above ground level are used in making medicines. It has traditionally been used as a diuretic and for kidney and bladder problems. It also applied directly to treat burns and wounds of the skin. It has also traditionally been used for brittle fingernails, gout and nosebleeds, although there is little good evidence that it works. It is also used as an ingredient in cosmetics. It is rich in minerals.

Field horsetail FAQs