Equisetum pratense : Meadow 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: pratense (Lat. pratensis=meadow)

English Name(s):

Meadow Horsetail,

First Nation Names:

Structure:

• Branches whorled, horizontal to drooping, thin with 3 ridges.
• Fertile stems rare, at first without chlorophyll later becoming green and growing branches. Becoming much like sterile stems after spores are shed.
• Stems erect, and mostly solitary from dull black rhizomes (root stalk).
• Stems of 2 types, sterile and fertile.
• Stems with 8-18 ridges.
• Sterile stems, light green, to 50cm long, and 1-3mm thick, with a central cavity 1/6 to 1/3 the diameter of the stem.

Leaves:

• Sheaths with white margined, dark centered teeth. Those on fertile stems about twice as long as those on sterile stems. (All Equisetum spp. leaves have been reduced to sheaths around the stems and branches)

Reproductive Parts:

• Strobilus (spore cone) 2.5 cm long, peduncled (on a stalk).

Seed:

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

Not to Be Confused With:

• The other branching Equisetum spp. especially E. palustre (Swamp Horsetail), and E. arvense (Field 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:

• Fertile stems at first without chlorophyll. Becoming green and growing branches after spores are shed.
• Spores are shed from late April to early July.
• Stems deciduous (dieing back).

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.

Habitat:

• Moist woods and thickets also meadows in sun or partial shade.
• Often found along river terraces.

Modern:

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Traditional Gwich'in:

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Traditional Other:

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