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giant horsetail
Scientific Name: Equisetum giganteum
Family: Equisetaceae
Category: Horsetail
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia and Equisetum giganteum)
Giant horsetails, encompassing species such as Equisetum telmateia and Equisetum giganteum, are notable for their size and distribution. These plants are often found in moist environments and have a fascinating evolutionary history.
Considerations for Pets
- The text mentions that horsetails are sometimes referred to as "snake grass," which might be a consideration for pets that are naturally curious about snake-like objects.
Considerations for Children
- Some species of horsetail can grow quite tall (up to 6 feet or more), potentially making them interesting to children. The text references its use in folk medicine which may be of interest to children.
- Horsetails can spread vigorously, forming dense patches that might be attractive to play in.
Scientific and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. and Equisetum giganteum
- Common Names: Great horsetail, Northern giant horsetail, Southern giant horsetail, Horsetail, Snake grass, Puzzlegrass, Shavegrass, Candock, Paddock pipes, Bottle brush, Horsetail Fern, Field Horsetail, Giant Horsetail
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Equisetum
- Family: Equisetaceae
- Synonyms:
- Equisetum eburneum Schreb. ex Rorth.
- Equisetum macrostachyon Poir.
- Equisetum majus Garsault.
- Equisetum maximum Lam.
Distribution and Habitat
- Equisetum telmateia has an unusual distribution, with at least one subspecies.
- Equisetum giganteum is native to South and Central America, including:
- Argentina
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Prefers moist or wet soil.
Ecological Role
- Giant horsetail can be invasive and spreads vigorously through rhizomes. It may require containment or specialized removal techniques.
Morphological Characteristics
- Equisetum telmateia is a perennial growing up to 2 meters (6 ft 7 in).
- Giant horsetails can grow very large, exceeding 1.5 meters (5 ft). Equisetum praealtum can reach 3.5 meters (11.5 feet).
- Has separate fertile and sterile (vegetative) stems connected by underground rhizomes.
- Sterile stems are green and photosynthetic.
- Does not produce flowers.
- Central stalks are much wider and may hold water in each node.
Quirky Facts
- It's other common names are Shavegrass, Candock, Paddock pipes, Bottle brush, Horsetail Fern, Field Horsetail, Common Horsetail or Giant Horsetail.
- The plant is popular in Mexico and Guatemala for unspecified purposes.
- Spreads via unique "f-legged" spores.
- Fossils of horsetails have been found and resembled a tree.
Genetic Information
- Homosporous ferns and their relatives, including horsetails, often have surprisingly large chromosome numbers.
Additional Information
- The plant contains equisetic acid.