Species · GBIF taxon 7924597
field horsetail
Equisetum arvenseAlso known as Common Horsetail, Shavegrass, Pewterwort, Bottle Brush
Field horsetails are living fossils belonging to an ancient lineage of vascular plants that dominated the landscape over three hundred million years ago. In early spring, pale, unbranched fertile stems emerge to release spores from cone-like tips before dying back. Soon after, the sterile green stems arise, displaying whorls of needle-like branches that resemble miniature pine trees or horse tails.
Ancient LineageSpore-bearingSilica-rich
1 / 7- diet
- Photosynthetic (Autotrophic)
- family
- Equisetaceae
- threats
- Habitat destruction and heavy herbicide application
- life Span
- Perennial (rhizomes can survive for decades)
LC
Contains thiaminase which is toxic to livestock and pets; do not ingest.
Contains thiaminase, an enzyme that depletes vitamin B1, making it highly toxic to horses and other livestock when contaminated in hay.
Do not harvest for consumption, and ensure pastures are cleared of dense patches to protect grazing animals.- Observe the stems: Feel the rough, abrasive texture caused by microscopic silica crystals embedded in the plant tissue.
- Track the seasons: Look for the pale, cone-tipped fertile shoots in early spring before the green, brush-like sterile stems emerge.
- Examine the joints: Pull gently on a stem segment to see how it easily pops apart at the dark-toothed sheath nodes.