- How many species of horsetail are there?
- Known species of horsetail
- Differences between the individual horsetail species
- Horsetail does not form inflorescences
- If possible, only plant horsetail with a root barrier
Most gardeners get the creeps when they hear the word horsetail. The plant is equated too much with the field horsetail, which is one of the particularly persistent weeds in the garden. However, there are a number of species that are particularly decorative on ponds and in buckets.
The pond horsetail is a decorative bank plant
How many species of horsetail are there?
Since the individual species have frequently interbred, there are no reliable figures on the number of species. Botanists assume about 20 different species.
Known species of horsetail
- Field horsetail: up to 50 cm
- Marsh horsetail: up to 30 cm
- Winter horsetail: up to 100 cm
- Giant winter horsetail: up to 150 cm
- Pond horsetail: up to 150 cm
- Dwarf horsetail: up to 10 cm
- Japanese horsetail: up to 130 cm
Differences between the individual horsetail species
Some horsetail species, such as winter horsetail, form single, unbranched shoots that act like small spears. Other species branch so that several sprouts grow from one shoot.
Most species that are cultivated in the garden prefer swampy locations at the edge of a pond or body of water.
Horsetail does not form inflorescences
What all horsetail species have in common is that the plant does not form flowers with seeds, which it uses to reproduce.
Instead, sprouts grow that have a spike of spores at the top. The spores are blown away by the wind.
They grow in spring and initially look like small mushrooms. In most species, the spikes then recede. Only then do the mostly green shoots of the horsetail appear with their characteristic leaf whorls.
If possible, only plant horsetail with a root barrier
All species of horsetail tend to spread extensively, via the spores and underground rhizomes.
You should only plant field horsetail in pots, if at all, otherwise you will never get rid of the herb again.
With other species it is advisable to create a rhizome barrier before planting. It prevents the rhizomes from spreading through runners throughout the garden. The rhizome barrier must be embedded at least 60 centimeters deep in the ground.
tips
In contrast to the marsh horsetail, field horsetail is edible. However, green parts of the plant have a very bitter taste. Swamp horsetail is poisonous and must not be eaten.