Equisetaceae

Equisetum species

Common Names: Horsetails

Plant Form: Non-woody herbs. Size: 5 to 120 cm tall. Stem: Green, hollow sterile stems, and pale brown fertile fronds, segmented and grooved. Leaves: Inconspicuous small, growing in rings, joined at edges to form teeth around stem, casuarina like in appearance. Flowers: None. Fruit and Seeds: Fronds bear pale brown fruiting cones. Habitat: Damp woodlands, pastures, riversides, bogs. Distinguishing Features: Distinct. Impacts: Infest creek lines, replacing native species, highly toxic to livestock, outcompete crops.