Genus: Equisetum — horsetail

This genus consists of perennial herbs that have jointed stems with a whorl of small, dark-colored leaves at each joint (some species have leaves with white margins). The leaves are joined at the base to form a ring around the stem. Sporangia are borne in unstalked strobili at the top of the stem, which look a little like those in the Lycopodiaceae family. References: Hauke (1963, 1978, 1993).

Family

Equisetaceae (horsetail family)

This genus’s species in New England

• Equisetum arvense
• Equisetum fluviatile
• Equisetum hyemale
• Equisetum palustre
• Equisetum pratense
• Equisetum scirpoides
• Equisetum sylvaticum
• Equisetum variegatum

Visit this genus in the Dichotomous Key

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