Equisetum hyemale : Scouring-rush

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: hyemale

Synonym(s): E. prealtum, Hyppochaete hyemalis

English Name(s):

Scouring-rush,

First Nation Names:

Structure:

• Central cavity 3/4 or more of the diameter of the stem.
• Stems branchless, up to 1.2 meters long sometimes longer, and 3mm-10mm thick.

Leaves:

• Shethes constructed at base, same colour as stem when young becoming dark bands when older.

Reproductive Parts:

• Strobilus (spore cone) up to 2cm long, yellow to black, on short peduncle.

Seed:

• Spores having elaters (4 spirally-wound filaments).

Not to Be Confused With:

• E.fluviatile which is shorter, deciduous, and sometimes has branches.

Physiology:

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

Life Cycle:

• Perennial

Seasonal Cycle:

• Evergreen.
• Spores shed from June to September.
• Spores sometimes not shed until spring.

Animal Uses:

• Equisetum spp. are favorite food of geese and other waterfowl.
• Possibly eaten by muskrat as well.

Habitat:

• Sandy or gravelly river teraces, sand bars, lakeshores, old fields, and ditches.

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 stems are 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:

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:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

• Ash of the stems of horsetails (Equisetum spp.) was used alone or with grease as a poultice on burns or sores.
• 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.
• Stems bruised were used as a poultice for treating blood poisoning and to stop the swelling of eye lids.
• Sterile stalks were used as an astringent to stop the spitting of blood.

Food:

• Underground stems and roots are eaten raw, with or without lard and are sometimes put in "Indian ice-cream".
• Underground stems and roots are food for some aboriginal groups. They are collected in the spring by water and are sweet and juicy then.