Marsh Horsetail (Equisetum palustre)

Marsh Horsetail – Ancient Wetland Plant

Equisetum palustre, known as Marsh Horsetail, is a perennial, spore-bearing plant belonging to an ancient lineage dating back hundreds of millions of years. It has jointed, hollow, photosynthetic stems with whorls of tiny, scale-like leaves at the nodes. This species thrives in wet, marshy ground, often forming colonies along pond margins, ditches, and stream banks. While sometimes considered a weed, it is a fascinating living fossil and provides habitat for aquatic invertebrates. Caution: it can be toxic to livestock if consumed in large quantities.

Taxonomic Details