Equisetum telmateia
great horsetail
The largest native horsetail, reaching over 1m tall, and found throughout the British Isles. This ancient, non-flowering plant, related to ferns and mosses, spreads through its very extensive network of black, underground stems. Tall, greenish-white stems, ringed with black at the joints, support whorls of 20-40 fine, green branches up to 20cm long. Spores are produced in early spring in oval cones at the top of separate, shorter, brown and white stems
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Black White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Black White | Green | ||
| Autumn | Black White | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Equisetaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Genus
Equisetum are also known as horsetails or living fossils as they are the only living genus in Equisetaceae, a family of vascular plants which reproduce by spores rather than seeds. Plants have a rush-like appearance.
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Found naturally in a wide range of environments, particularly damp and shady places such as woodland and embankments. If established in gardens its deep, persistent rhizomes (underground stems) make it very difficult to remove, but it is not strongly competitive so can be tolerated for its dramatic appearance in less cultivated areas. If you need to control it see horsetail for advice
Propagation
Spreads by spores but predominantly by underground rhizomes
Suggested planting locations and garden types
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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