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].
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
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
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.
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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., "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
-
? 1.01.1 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
-
? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
-
? 3.03.13.2 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
-
? 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)
-
? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.75.85.9 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
-
? 6.06.16.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
-
? 7.07.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
-
? 8.08.18.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
-
? 9.09.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
-
? 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)
-
? 11.011.111.2 Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd ISBN 0-584-10141-4 (1977-00-00)
-
? 12.012.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
-
? 13.013.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
-
? 14.014.1 Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-262-7 (1979-00-00)
-
? 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)
-
? 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.