Common Horsetail

Other names

Field Horsetail

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region

Cultivation

An aggressively spreading plant with light green jointed stems up to 2' tall. Light: sun Moisture and Soil: medium-dry well-drained soil

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: Collect spores from fertile shoots in spring and sow immediately on damp soil.

Biocultural value

The Blackfoot used crushed horsetail stems to make a light pink die for porcupine quills and the Costanoan used the tough rhizomes in basketry. Multiple Native American groups used the rough stems as a scouring material to polish wooden articles, children's toys, bone tools, soapstone pipes, and fingernails. The Haudenosaunee used the plant medicinally as an analgesic, internal antirheumatic, orthopedic aid and teething aid for babies, and other groups included it in a wide range of additional remedies. Horsetail was also used as fodder for captive waterfowl and given to horses medicinally.

Wildlife value

A few insect species feed exclusively on Equisetum. These include a flea beetle (Hippuriphila canadensis), larvae of the Horsetail Weevil (Grypus equiseti), and the larvae of some sawflies (Dolerus apricus, Dolerus tibialis conjugatus). Two grasshopper species also eat horsetail foliage. Common horsetail often grows in dense colonies, where it provides cover for birds, insects, and small mammals. In addition to its mild toxicity, horsetail's high silica content makes it unpalatable to herbivores.

Poisonous

yes

Poisonous description

Horsetail can cause poisoning in livestock if they ingest hay containing the plant. Affected animals (usually horses) may develop weakness, muscular exhaustion and trembling. Overdose results in quiescence, coma, and death.

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Coy Glen, Fischer Old-growth Forest, McLean Bogs, Eames Bog, Salt Road Fen, Ringwood Ponds, South Hill Swamp

Status

L4|S5|G5