Equisetum fluviatile aka River Horsetail

Taxonomy

Equisetum fluviatile, also known as the water horsetail or swamp horsetail, is a vascular plant that grows in dense colonies along freshwater shorelines, ponds, swamps, ditches, and other still or sluggish waters with mud bottoms. This perennial herbaceous species reaches heights of 30-100 cm (rarely 140 cm) with erect dark green stems that are 2-8 mm in diameter and have about 10-30 fine ridges. At each joint of the stem, there is a whorl of tiny scale leaves measuring 5-10 mm in length, with black tips. Some stems also have whorls of short ascending and spreading branches, with the longest branches found in the lower middle of the stem. The side branches are slender, dark green, and have 1-8 nodes with a whorl of five scale leaves at each node. The water horsetail has the largest central hollow among horsetails, with the stem diameter being hollow to about 80%. It reproduces both through spores, produced in yellowish-green cones at the tips of some stems, and vegetatively through rhizomes. This horsetail is found throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, ranging from Eurasia to North America. It is sometimes considered an invasive species due to its hardiness and ability to overpower other garden plants unless controlled. It is often confused with the marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre), which has rougher stems with fewer ridges and a smaller hollow in the stem center, as well as longer spore cones. Overall, the water horsetail is an upright, clump-forming, rhizomatous perennial with hollow, ridged, and jointed stems that exhibit yellow-brown banding. Thin branches emerge in whorls around the stem nodes, and fertile stems produce blunt spore-bearing cones at the tips.

Common names

River Horsetail, Water Horsetail, Pipes

How to care for River Horsetail

Difficulty

River Horsetail is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

River Horsetail should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

River Horsetail loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

River Horsetail requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your River Horsetail will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the plant as it grows upwards.

Region of origin

River Horsetail’s native range is Arctic and temperate regions of Europe, including Britain, N. America and Asia.


More info:
Wikipedia