Equisetum laevigatum

Equisetum laevigatum A. Braun

by Ryan Calvert, Native Plants of Arizona 2004
Common names: Horsetail (3), smooth horsetail (1,3), smooth scouring rush (2,3), smooth scouringrush (2,3)
Family: Equisetaceae (1)
Synonymy: Equisetum kansanum, Equisetum laevigatum spp. funstonii, Equisetum funstonii, & Hippochaete laevigatum. (1,2)
Etymology: Equisetum is composed of the Latin words equus meaning horse, and seta meaning bristle, or animal hair. The English translation “horse bristle” or “horse hair” refers to the black, coarse roots found on Equisetum fluviatile . The specific epithet, leavigatum, is a Latin word meaning smooth, or slippery, and describes the smooth texture of this plant. (5)

Identification
Growth form: Single & Crowned (1)
Roots: Rooting occurs from the base of the stem and from the rhizomes (5). Roots are capable of making storage tubers (1).
Stem: Smooth, erect, green, jointed, grooved with 10-32 ridges, non-branched, and up to 5' tall (3,5).
Inflorescence/flowers: N/A
Fruit: Cones are brown in color, rounded to apiculate in shape, and have a needle like tip. Their size ranges from 1.5” – 2.5”, and are located on the terminal end of the stem. (1,2)
Similar species: Equisetum hymale has an identical growth form as E. laevigatum , but is much rougher and has ashy-grey bands around each stem joint. Equisetum variegatum also shares its growth form with E. laevigatum, but has distinct white margins at the stem joints. (5)

Ecology
Life history: Herbaceous perennial. (3)
Native/introduced: Native to the continental United States . (1,3)
Photosynthetic pathway: C3 (1)
Phrenology: Reproduction can be sporadic (sexual) or vegetative (asexual) (1). Cones start to mature in late spring-early summer. Spore maturation starts in late spring and ends in late summer. The spores are haploid and are equipped with elaters, which enables them to disperse in wind or water. Given moist conditions, the spores germinate quickly and form prothalli. Sperm, once released from the antheridia, swims to nearby archegonia . Once fertilization is complete, a new sporophyte emerges from the prothalli (5). Vegetative reproduction occurs underground by rhizome division. Once a rhizome of any size is broken, over-wintering buds begin growing from the nodes of the rhizome (1).

Uses
Medicinal: The stem alone has been used worldwide to treat kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis. Various parts of the plant have also been used to alleviate painful urination, reduce inflammation of the prostate gland, and help eliminate some cases of adolescent bed wetting. Silica from horsetail has historically been used to help heal broken bones, arthritis, kidney and urinary tract disorders, prevent hair loss and is considered a natural diuretic and astringent. (4,5)

Commercial: Due to abnormally high levels of silica produced by Equisetum laevigatum, businesses have used several derivatives of horsetail in soaps as a scouring agent. Native Americans have used tissue from this plant as sandpaper as well. (5)

References

1. USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov) . National Plant Data Center , Baton Rouge , LA 70874-4490 USA .

2. Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico . 7+ vols. New York and Oxford .

3. Retrieved [ November, 4, 2004 ], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, < http://www.itis.usda.gov >.

4. Foster, S. and C. Hobbs. 2002. Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York , NY . 442 p., ISBN 0-395-83806-1

5. Rook, Earl. Equisetum Species: The Horsetails and Scouring Rushes. 5 December 2004 . <http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/ferns/equisetum-WIP.html>.

*Equisetum laevigatum A. Braun* by Ryan Calvert, Native Plants of Arizona 2004 Common names: Horsetail (3), smooth horsetail (1,3), smooth scouring rush (2,3), smooth scouringrush (2,3) Family: Equisetaceae (1) Synonymy: Equisetum kansanum, Equisetum laevigatum spp. funstonii, Equisetum funstonii, & Hippochaete laevigatum. (1,2) Etymology: Equisetum is composed of the Latin words equus meaning horse, and seta meaning bristle, or animal hair. The English translation “horse bristle” or “horse hair” refers to the black, coarse roots found on Equisetum fluviatile . The specific epithet, leavigatum, is a Latin word meaning smooth, or slippery, and describes the smooth texture of this plant. (5) Identification Growth form: Single & Crowned (1) Roots: Rooting occurs from the base of the stem and from the rhizomes (5). Roots are capable of making storage tubers (1). Stem: Smooth, erect, green, jointed, grooved with 10-32 ridges, non-branched, and up to 5' tall (3,5). Inflorescence/flowers: N/A Fruit: Cones are brown in color, rounded to apiculate in shape, and have a needle like tip. Their size ranges from 1.5” – 2.5”, and are located on the terminal end of the stem. (1,2) Similar species: Equisetum hymale has an identical growth form as E. laevigatum , but is much rougher and has ashy-grey bands around each stem joint. Equisetum variegatum also shares its growth form with E. laevigatum, but has distinct white margins at the stem joints. (5) Ecology Life history: Herbaceous perennial. (3) Native/introduced: Native to the continental United States . (1,3) Photosynthetic pathway: C3 (1) Phrenology: Reproduction can be sporadic (sexual) or vegetative (asexual) (1). Cones start to mature in late spring-early summer. Spore maturation starts in late spring and ends in late summer. The spores are haploid and are equipped with elaters, which enables them to disperse in wind or water. Given moist conditions, the spores germinate quickly and form prothalli. Sperm, once released from the antheridia, swims to nearby archegonia . Once fertilization is complete, a new sporophyte emerges from the prothalli (5). Vegetative reproduction occurs underground by rhizome division. Once a rhizome of any size is broken, over-wintering buds begin growing from the nodes of the rhizome (1). Uses Medicinal: The stem alone has been used worldwide to treat kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis. Various parts of the plant have also been used to alleviate painful urination, reduce inflammation of the prostate gland, and help eliminate some cases of adolescent bed wetting. Silica from horsetail has historically been used to help heal broken bones, arthritis, kidney and urinary tract disorders, prevent hair loss and is considered a natural diuretic and astringent. (4,5) Commercial: Due to abnormally high levels of silica produced by Equisetum laevigatum, businesses have used several derivatives of horsetail in soaps as a scouring agent. Native Americans have used tissue from this plant as sandpaper as well. (5) References 1. USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov) . National Plant Data Center , Baton Rouge , LA 70874-4490 USA . 2. Flora of North America Editorial Committee, eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico . 7+ vols. New York and Oxford . 3. Retrieved [ November, 4, 2004 ], from the Integrated Taxonomic Information System on-line database, < http://www.itis.usda.gov >. 4. Foster, S. and C. Hobbs. 2002. Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York , NY . 442 p., ISBN 0-395-83806-1 5. Rook, Earl. Equisetum Species: The Horsetails and Scouring Rushes. 5 December 2004 . <http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/ferns/equisetum-WIP.html>.