Practical
Plants

Equisetum fluviatile

Swamp Horsetail

a perennial member of the Equisetum genus in the family Equisetaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Large quantities of the plant can be toxic. This is because it contains the enzyme thiaminase[3], a substance that can rob the body of the vitamin B complex[10]. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[3]. The plant also contains equisetic acid - see the notes on medicinal uses for more information[6].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Strobil (the fertile shoots in spring) - cooked[4][8][11]. Used as an asparagus substitute, though it is neither palatable nor nutritious[8]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Roots - cooked[8][11][1]. The roots contain a nutritious starch[4]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Plant part
Root
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Horsetails have an unusual chemistry compared to most other plants[7]. They are rich in silica, contain several alkaloids (including nicotine) and various minerals[7]. The plant is styptic[9]. The barren stems are used, they are most active when fresh but can also be dried and sometimes the ashes of the plant are used[8]. A decoction applied externally will stop the bleeding of wounds and promote healing[8].

Product or use
Styptic

Environment

Range
Arctic and temperate regions of Europe, including Britain, N. America and Asia.
Habitat
Shallow water in lakes, ponds and ditches[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
aquatic
Hardiness
Zone 2+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Spores - best collected as soon as they are ripe in the spring and surface-sown immediately on a sterile compost. Keep moist and pot up as soon as the plants are large enough to handle. Very difficult[5]. Division. The plants usually spread very freely when well sited and should not really need any assistance.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5[5]. Plants are hardy to about -30°c[5]. Plants have a deep and penetrating root system and can be invasive. If grown in the garden they are best kept in bounds by planting them in a large container which can be sunk into the ground[5].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  3. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2

  4. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩

  7. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

  8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  10. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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  11. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩1↩2

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