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Equisetum hyemale
| Family Name: | Equisetaceae |
| Synonyms: | Equisetum hyemalis (illegitimate) |
| Common Name: | Scouring Rush, Rough Horsetail, Dutch Rush, 木贼 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Horsetail) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 1 m to 2 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Eurasia, North America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic (Freshwater Pond / Lake / River) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal, Temperate |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Thin-stemmed herbaceous perennial, rush-like and non-flowering. |
|---|---|
| Roots | Branched, creeping rhizomes. |
| Foliage | Small, grayish leaves (with teeth-like fringes) completely surrounding and clasping the stem at the nodes, forming a sheath-like structure. Thin, black bands occur directly above and below the leaves. |
| Stems | Round, thin stems have a grooved surface. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | The sporangia resembles a pine cone. |
| Habitat | Occurs in the fringes of water bodies. |
| Taxonomy | The synonym for this species is Hippochaete hyemalis. |
| Cultivation | This species is ideal for waterscaping or waterlogged soils. Its unique structural form is suitable for Japanese gardens. |
| Etymology | Genus Equisetum is derived from "equus-seta" which is a name in Pliny for a horsetail. Species hyemale means "pertaining to winter" and refers to the perennial nature of the plant. One of the common names is "Scouring Rush", because the stems are rich in silica and are used to scour dishes. In Mexico, they are grown for the purpose of polishing fine furniture. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Stems |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Pond / Lake / River, Aquarium / Aquascape, Phytoremediation (Ground / Water Contaminant(s)) |
| Thematic Landscaping | Zen / Minimalist Garden, Marsh Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils |
| Propagation Method | Division |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
References
| References | Yong J, Tan PY, Nor Hafiz Hassan, Tan SN. 2010. A Selection of Plants for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics. Singapore: Chung Printing . 480 pp. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 254 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1550 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |