Practical
Plants

Equisetum variegatum

Variegated Horsetail

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 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[4], a substance that can rob the body of the vitamin B complex[14]. 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[4]. The plant also contains equisetic acid - see the notes on medicinal uses for more information[8].

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[9]. They are rich in silica, contain several alkaloids (including nicotine) and various minerals[9]. Horsetail is very astringent and makes an excellent clotting agent, staunching wounds, stopping nosebleeds and reducing the coughing up of blood[10]. It helps speed the repair of damaged connective tissue, improving its strength and elasticity[10]. The plant has been used in the treatment of sore eyes[11].

Material uses

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

The stems contain 10% silica and are used for scouring metal[12][15][6][16][1] and as a fine sandpaper[15][13][17][11]. They can also be used as a polish for brass, hardwood etc[16]. The infused stem is an effective fungicide against mildew, mint rust and blackspot on roses[2][5][6][13]. It also makes a good liquid feed[13].

Environment

Range
Arctic and temperate regions of Europe, including Britain, N. America, central and northern Asia.
Habitat
Dunes, river banks, wet ground on mountains etc, to 480 metres[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
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[7]. 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 but well-drained fertile soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5[7][9]. A very cold-hardy species tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[7]. 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[7].

References

  1. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

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  2. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  5. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

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  6. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

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

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  13. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  15. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2

  16. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2

  17. Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7

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