Equisetum, commonly known as Horsetail or Scouring Rush, has an other-worldly look. There are no leaves. Stems are hollow and bright green, and have narrow horizontal, black joints that faintly resemble bamboo. Other common names include Bottlebrush, Foxtail, Pinetop, Snakegrass, and Dwarf Bamboo. Fossils of Equisetum show its existence 350 million years ago.
Like some bamboo, Equisetum is a serious spreader. It loves wet soil, even standing water up to four inches deep, but will also grow in dryer soils. Be certain that you want it in your garden, because it is impossible to eradicate once established. It will grow in zones 5-10 and under any light conditions: full sun to full shade. Plants put down deep roots (rhizomes up to six feet in length).
Equisetum (pronounced ek-wis-SEE-tum) does not flower. Unbranched stems, up to four feet in height, are either sterile or non-sterile (reproductive). Non-sterile stems have brown scales while the sterile stems have green or no scales. The reproductive stems produce spores on a cone. Stems contain silica, creating a tough, rough texture that was formerly used to scour cooking vessels, leading to the common name Scouring Rush.
This plant can be grown in a container to prevent its spread. It makes a striking pond-side plant and a dandy resting place for dragonflies. It is highly deer resistant.
A patch of Equisetum growing near a bog area.
The black horizontal bands around Equisetum stems.
Image by Annette Meyer from Pixabay