Weed Identification

Australia > > Horsetail (common)

Horsetail (common)

Equisetum arvense

THIS PLANT IS ON THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ALERT LIST
http://www.weeds.gov.au/weeds/lists/alert.html

Alternative Name(s): Field Horsetail, Scouring Rush.

Family: Equisetaceae.

Form: Herb

Origin: Native of Africa, Europe, Asia and North America.

Flowers/Seedhead: Flowers: Cone-shaped structure (strobilus) comprised of shield-shaped spore-bearing scales; spores yellowish, round. Spores produced in spring to early summer.

Description: Perennial fern ally with erect or sprawling stems to 60 cm high. Vegetative stems branched, green, grooved, main stems 1–5 mm wide, lateral branches in whorls of 4–18 produced at joints; main stem arising from extensive and hairy rhizomes that penetrate soil to more than 1 metre. Fertile stems to 25 cm high, unbranched, to 8 mm wide, with a sheath to 20 mm long above each joint, stems terminate in a cone-shaped strobilus.

Distinguishing features: Distinguished by hollow, grooved, jointed stems, scale-like leaves at the joints, and fertile stems terminating in a cone-shaped strobilus 1–4 cm long.

Dispersal: Spreads by spores, rhizomes, root pieces, and possibly tubers.


Left, spore producing cone.
Centre, vegetative stem.
Right, fertile stem, Sept

Notes: A garden escape that is extremely difficult to control, especially in rocky soils. In Sydney it dies back in winter. Has potential to be a serious weed in Australia. A weed of crops, orchards and pastures overseas. Plants have a high silicon content and have been used for scouring pots and pans, hence the common name, Scouring Rush. Poisonous to livestock; contains equisetine, a toxic alkaloid that causes equisetosis.

References:

    Noxious Weeds of Australia. W. Parsons and E. Cuthbertson, 1992, pages 14–17. The World's Worst Weeds. Holm et al., 1977, pages 262–268.

Web References: Search Australian web sites for further information on this weed.

Wiry roots
Green clumps, Frenchs Forest, NSW, Dec
Lateral whorls of branches
off main vegetative stem

This weed has been included in the WEEDeck field guide as card H31.
More information about WEEDeck is available from Sainty & Associates Pty. Ltd.

It has also been included in the 'Jumping the Garden Fence' report (WWF-Australia PDF - 1.19mb) which examines the impact of invasive garden plants on Australian agricultural land and natural ecosystems.

 

Australia > > Horsetail (common)

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