The photo is a close-up of a field horsetail stem. This vegetative stem is green and has branches growing in whorls from the middle and upper nodes of the stem.

Field horsetail – Equisetum arvense

Equisetum arvense L.

Equisetaceae (Horsetail family)

 

MI Status

Native

Life cycle

Perennial, spore-producing plant.

Leaves

Not present.

Stems

Vegetative stems are green and branch in whorls. Stems may have a bottle-brush appearance and should not exceed 2 feet in height. Stems die back to the ground in winter.

Flowers and fruit

Erect, unbranched, white to brown fruiting stalks (stems) bear terminal spore-releasing cones. Flowers are not produced.

Reproduction

Spores and prolific rhizomes.

Similar weeds

Scouringrush (E. hyemale L.)
Differs by having larger evergreen stems with little or no branching. Grows only in wet areas.

The photo is a field horsetail patch in the field. These are fertile stems that emerge in spring. They are whitish, succulent, unbranched, and bear a terminal cone.
Field horsetail patch in field
The photo is a vegetative stem of field horsetail. The plants are small, green, and have a bottle brush appearance. Field horsetail vegetative stem
The photo is a close-up of a field horsetail stem. This vegetative stem is green and has branches growing in whorls from the middle and upper nodes of the stem.
Close-up of field horsetail stem
The photo is of a field horsetail fruiting stalk. It is white to brown with a terminal cone.
Field horsetail fruiting stalk

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Tag List
  • msu plant & pest diagnostics,
  • perennial,
  • spore-producing

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