Horestail - Equisetum - Package of 25 Plants

Horsetail Equisetum Hyemal

The horsetail plant's scientific name is Equisetum arvense. It's a genus of plants in the Equisetaceae family. Other names for horsetail include bottlebrush, horse willow, and paddock pipes. It's a primitive and ancient plant that has been around for over 100 million years. It's often found in wetlands, marshes, and other damp areas, but horsetail can tolerate just about any soil. It was once known to the Romans and Greeks as a herbal remedy that could heal ulcers and wounds and stop bleeding.

Horsetail Plant Is A Wetland Favorite

 The horsetail plant is relatively easy to identify, with hollow, jointed stems and needle-like leaves. It can be found worldwide, except in Australia and New Zealand. The plant grows a deep root system; its stems can grow up to two feet tall. The plant primarily reproduces through spores or underground rhizomes.

Horsetail Has Been Used Throughout The Ages 

It contains high levels of silica, believed to be beneficial for bone health, and other minerals such as potassium and manganese. Along with treating wounds, horsetail has also been used to treat kidney and bladder problems.

 Organic gardeners and farmers also love horsetail for its soil-replenishing properties and as a natural pest repellent. When planted in fields and gardening plots, horsetail increases the soil's water-holding capacity and potassium content. Planting along the edges of fields helps reduce the likelihood of soil erosion.

Horsetail can also be used as a pest repellent or fertilizer by making tea from the stem or leaves. This is usually accomplished by steeping in a pot of water for several days. The resulting liquid can be put into a spray bottle, applied to vegetable plants, or poured directly into the soil, depending on the gardener's needs.

Horsetail is an ancient yet exotic plant that is considered to be a living fossil. Homeowners and gardeners will love this plant for its versatility and hardiness.