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Uses

Toxic parts

Large quantities of the plant can be toxic. This is because it contains the enzyme thiaminase[1], a substance that can rob the body of the vitamin B complex[2]. 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[1]. The plant also contains equisetic acid - see the notes on medicinal uses for more information[3].

Edible uses

Notes

Strobil (the fertile shoots in spring) - raw or cooked[4]. The tough outer fibres are peeled off, or can be chewed and then discarded[4].

The vegetative shoots, produced from late spring onwards, were occasionally cleaned of their leaves, sheathing and branches and then eaten by native North American Indians, but only when very young and tightly compacted[4].

Root - cooked[5].

Material uses

The stems are very rich in silica[6]. They are used for scouring and polishing metal[7][6][8][9][10][5] and as a fine sandpaper[11][10][5]. The stems are first bleached by repeated wetting and drying in the sun[12]. They can also be used as a polish for wooden floors and furniture[8][13].

The infused stem is an effective fungicide against mildew, mint rust and blackspot on roses[14]. It also makes a good liquid feed[11]. Used as a hair rinse it can eliminate fleas, lice and mites[3].

The black roots have been used for imbrication on coiled baskets[5].

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The plant is astringent and diuretic[5]. A decoction has been used to treat 'stoppage of urine'[5]. A poultice of the rough leaves and stems is applied to cuts and sores[5].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[15]. Division. The plants usually spread very freely when well sited and should not really need any assistance.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Equisetum telmateia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5[15].

Plants are hardy to about -30°c[15].

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[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Equisetum telmateia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Equisetum telmateia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Equisetum telmateia
Genus
Equisetum
Family
Equisetaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    2 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    2. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Turner. N. J. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples UBC Press. Vancouver. ISBN 0-7748-0533-1 (1995-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.85.9 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum ISBN 0-7718-8117-7 (1979-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    14. ? 14.014.1 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.315.4 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    16. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Equisetopsida.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Equisetum telmateia"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyEquisetaceae +
    Belongs to genusEquisetum +
    Has binomial nameEquisetum telmateia +
    Has common nameGiant Horsetail +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partStem +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageEquisetopsida.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry +, Fungicide +, Hair care +, Liquid feed +, Polish + and Sandpaper +
    Has mature height2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Diuretic + and Poultice +
    Has primary imageEquisetopsida.jpg +
    Has search nameequisetum telmateia + and giant horsetail +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameEquisetum telmateia +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
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