Equisetum palustre : Marsh 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: palustre

English Name(s):

Marsh Horsetail,

First Nation Names:

Structure:

• Arrising from from shiny black to brown, occasionally tuber-bearing rhizomes (root stalk).
• Branches (when present) spreading in regular whorles from middle nodes.
• Branches in some specimens few to none.
• Central cavity 1/6 to 1/3 diameter of stem.
• First segment of branch is shorter than coresponding stem sheath.
• Stems erect, solitary or clustered, 20-80 cm long, 1-3 mm thick.
• With 5-10 prominently angled smooth or rough ridges.

Leaves:

• Sheaths green with teeth long, narrow, black.

Reproductive Parts:

• Strobilus (spore cone) on peduncle (stalk) at end of stem.

Seed:

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

Not to Be Confused With:

• The other branching Equisetum spp. especially E. arvense (Field Horsetail), and E. pratense (Meadow Horsetail).

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.

Animal Uses:

• Caribou, moose, sheep and grizzly bear all eat this plant.
• Favorite food of geese and other waterfowl.

Habitat:

• Wet woods and meadows, shores, and shallow waters.

Modern:

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Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

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Traditional Other:

Folklore:

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