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Equisetum scirpoides
Michx.
Dwarf Horsetail
Equisetaceae
Equisetum scirpoides is a species of horsetail in the family Equisetaceae. It is a circumboreal species, found in bogs and tundras in northern North America and Eurasia, and is sometimes cultivated in gardens.
Description
Equisetum scirpoides has twisted, unbranched, perennial stems that grow up 28 cm long. They have lines of stomata and six-angled. Leaves are reduced to black sheaths that encircle the plant. They are elliptical and tiny, only 1 to 2.5 mm long and about 1 mm wide. The sheaths have three leaves. Cones develop at the tip of the stems and are pointed. They mature in spring after overwintering, or summer, and they release round green spores (FNAEC 1993).
Equisetum scirpoides is similar to Equisetum variegatum, however its stems are 3- to 12- angled and hollow (“Equisetum: Dichotomous Key”).
Equisetum scirpoides is similar to Equisetum variegatum, however its stems are 3- to 12- angled and hollow (“Equisetum: Dichotomous Key”).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Equisetum scirpoides is often grown for its attractive, curly stems. Its rhizomes spread slower than other species like Equisetum hyemale, and it also grows to a lower height. It grows in USDA zones 1 to 6 (Cullina 2008).
Distribution
Equisetum scirpoides is widespread in generally moist sites like woods, peat bogs, and the tundra at an altitude of less than 1000 m. It is found in most of Canada, except for its northern islands, Alaska, and southern Greenland. It also reaches into the northeastern United States, extreme northern Idaho, northwestern Montana, northeastern Washington, Disko Island, among other areas (FNAEC 1993). It also is found in northern Eurasia (Cullina 2008).
Status
Equisetum scirpoides is listed on the IUCN Red List as "Least Concern", citing a widespread range and little decline, which would not threaten its population (Maiz-Tome 2016).
References
Cullina, W. 2008. Native ferns, moss & grasses. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Equisetum: Dichotomous Key. 2019. [accessed June 5, 2019]. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/dkey/equisetum/#all
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
Maiz-Tome, L. 2016. Equisetum scirpoides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T64311359A67729426.en.
Equisetum: Dichotomous Key. 2019. [accessed June 5, 2019]. https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/dkey/equisetum/#all
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
Maiz-Tome, L. 2016. Equisetum scirpoides. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T64311359A67729426.en.
Description
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