Dimorphic perennial weed of various soils. It spreads
aggressively by deep growing tuber-bearing rhizomes and
by airborne spores.
Whorls of
scale-like leaves and a terminal cone which
releases spores. These fertile stems are
followed by sterile green shoots with linear,
whorled branches.
Equisetum is from
equus for
horse and seta for bristle. The barren stems
supposedly made one think of a horse's tail.
