Equisetum arvense : Field Horsetail

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Pteridophyta (spore bearing)

Class: Equisetopsida (Horsetail class)

Family: Equisetaceae (Horsetail Family)

Genera: Equisetum (Horsetails) (Lat. equis = horse + seta = hair, alluding to the resemblance of some species to a horses' tail.)

Species: arvense (Lat. arvus = ploughed, a field)

English Name(s):

Field Horsetail,

First Nation Names:

Kheh dye' or Kheh di' (goose food)

Structure:

• Fertile stems lacking chlorophyll, brownish, short-lived in the spring, lacking branches, 6-30cm tall.
• First segment of a branch is longer than the corresponding stem sheath.
• Plants very variable.
• Sterile stems green, erect or ascending, 10-50cm tall. Very variable, much branched. Grow throughout the summer; generally taller than fertile stems. Central cavity 1/3-2/3 diameter of stem.

Leaves:

• Sheaths with 4-14 teeth. (All Equisetum spp. leaves have been reduced to sheaths around the stems and branches.)

Reproductive Parts:

• Strobilus (spore cone) on long peduncle (stem).

Seed:

• Spores each have elaters (4 spirally-wound filaments).

Not to Be Confused With:

• Can be distinguished from those similar Equisetums by looking at the first segment of the branches. If the first segment of a branch is longer than the corresponding stem sheath it is E. arvense. If not, it is one of the other species.
• The other branching Equisetum spp. especially E. palustre, and E. pratense.

Physiology:

• Horsetails (Equisetum spp.) bioaccumulate zinc.
• The elaters (4 spirally-wound filaments) of each spore, respond to humidity by expanding suddenly and throwing the spore out of the strobilus (spore cone).

Life Cycle:

• Perennial from rhizomes (underground stems),

Seasonal Cycle:

• Above ground stems deciduous.
• Fertile stems appear in early spring, spores shed by late May, stem then withering.
• Sterile stems come up soon after fertile stems appear and grow throughout the summer.

Animal Uses:

• Caribou, moose, sheep and grizzly bear all eat this plant.
• Favorite food of geese and other waterfowl.
• Horses reported to eat the plant and possibly eaten by muskrat as well.
• It is the main food of grizzlies in June on the Mackenzie Mountain Barrens.

Habitat:

• Grows well so long as soil is not excessively dry.
• Variable in habitat. Very common in many environments.

Modern:

Industrial:

• Plants used for dyeing yarn. This is done by layering wool or yarn with Horsetail (Equisetum spp.), with about a 10:1 ratio of Horsetail:yarn, boiling 30 minutes, then drying in the shade.
• The coarse green are stems used to scrub pots and clean dishes.

Medicinal:

• Green plants, because of their silica content, are used for eye treatments and skin disorders.
• Sterile plants can be used to make an infusion that is said to be effective in combating offensive odour.
• They are also taken internally, 1 mouthful 4 times daily, to relieve painful or difficult urination or bleeding of the stomach or intestinal tract.

Food:

• Sterile stems are dried, ground to a powder, and used for thickening or to make a mush.
• This powder has also been used to make a tea and is sold in some grocery stores.

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

• The coarse green stems are used to scrub pots and clean dishes.

Medicinal:

• The leaves and stems can be steamed for nasal congestion, colds, and stomach ailments.

Food:

• The root tubercles can be eaten raw.

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

• The Aleut fed a decoction of these plants to a hated guest as a magical poison.

Industrial:

Medicinal:

• Ash of the stems of horsetails (Equisetum spp.) was used alone or with grease as a poultice on burns or sores.
• Bruised stems were used as a poultice for treating blood poisoning and to stop the swelling of eye lids.
• Plant decoction was used as a contraceptive, to initiate abortion, to stimulate menstruation and to relieve bladder problems.
• Roots were heated and placed against aching teeth.
• Sterile stalks were used as an astringent to stop the spitting of blood.
• Underground stems and roots are collected in the spring by water and are sweet and juicy then, much relished as the first fruit of the season.
• Underground stems and roots are eaten raw, with or without lard, and are sometimes put in "Indian ice cream".

Food: