Equisetum variegatum : Variegated 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: variegatum

Synonym(s): Hippochaete variegata

English Name(s):

Variegated Horsetail,

First Nation Names:

Structure:

• Central cavity 1/3 to 2/3 diameter of the stem.
• Stems 6-50 cm long by 0.5-3.0 mm thick, evergreen, usually unbranched, ascending, tufted from smooth branching rhizomes (root stalk).

Leaves:

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

Reproductive Parts:

• Strobili (spore cones) 5-10 mm long.

Seed:

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

Not to Be Confused With:

• E.scirpoides (Dwarf Scouring-rush), is simmilar but has no central cavity, and only 3-4 teeth on the stem sheaths.

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.

Seasonal Cycle:

• Cones mature and will either shed spores in late July or August, or remain unopened and shed spores in the spring.
• Stems evergreen.

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• Tundra, moist sand, riverbanks, and meadows.

Modern:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food: