48 – Equisetum hyemale

Equisetum hyemale L.

Rough horsetail

Scientific name: Equisetum hyemale L.

Family: Equisetaceae

Origin: Europe

Year of planting: Unknown

Flowering: Summer

Description

It is a grass-like plant which does not exceed 1.5 metres in height. Its leaves surround the nodes of the stem, are very small and dark brown and black in colour.

It is a plant that reproduces by spores, not by seeds. The spores are stored in a small pouch at the end of the stems. This pouch is called a sporophyte. When the sporophyte opens, the spores are dispersed into the air and when they fall to the ground, new plants can grow.

Marimurtra’s specimen

You will find them in pots on the edge of fountains and wet areas of the garden. They are slender and graceful specimens; some are over a metre tall.

You can see the black leaves distributed around the nodes of the stems, and at the top of these the sporophytes.

Did you know…?

It is used a lot in medicine to produce different medications: it is recommended for kidney and stomach problems, digestive problems….

It also has a high silica content, which is why in ancient times it was used to polish metals.

It belongs to the equisetum group of plants. As with ferns, this group of plants is very ancient: They already existed at the time of the dinosaurs.

Threat level (UICN)

Main uses

Raunkiaer Life Forms