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Equisetaceae are the sole survivors of a line of plants going back three hundred million years; members of this family gave rise to many of our coal deposits. Equisetaceae are circumboreal and are widespread through the United States. In the semi-deserts, foothills, and mountains of the Four Corners they are common near streams and in wet forests and meadows. The various Equisetum are commonly called "Horsetails" or "Scouring Rush". |
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Equisetum arvense
(Field Horsetails) Equisetaceae (Horsetail Family) Foothills, montane, subalpine.
Streamsides, wetlands. Spring. This very common, ancient fern loves wet areas but is also found in seasonally moist areas. Pictured at left are the sterile stems that spread from underground roots forming extensive patches. The sheaths around each branching area are diagnostic. The plant feels rough to the touch because of its high silica content. Stems of Equisetum arvense are annual, grow from 10-50 centimeters tall and 1-5 millimeters thick, and are hollow. Linnaeus named this genus in 1753 from specimens collected in Europe. "Equisetum", is derived from the Latin "equus" for "horse" and "seta" for "bristle". "Arvense" is Latin for "field". On August 10, 1804 Equisetum arvense became the first dated specimen that Meriwether Lewis collected on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. |
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Equisetum arvense
(Field Horsetails) Equisetaceae (Horsetail Family) Foothills, montane, subalpine.
Streamsides, wetlands. Spring. |
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Equisetum arvense
(Field Horsetails) Equisetaceae (Horsetail Family) Foothills, montane, subalpine.
Streamsides, wetlands. Spring. The brown, fertile, unbranched stem bears the reproductive sporangiate cone at its top. The stem and sporangiate cone grow in the very early spring and wilt in a few days; large patches of branched sterile stems, such as those pictured above, remain through the fall. |
Range map © John Kartesz,
County Color Key
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Range map for Equisetum arvense |