Family: Equisetaceae
Author: Ehrh.
Bibliography: Hannover. Mag. 21: 287 (1783)
Year: 1783
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Equisetum
Vegetable: False
Observations: Macaronesia, Europe to Iran, NW. Africa
Description
The Great horsetail, known scientifically as Equisetum telmateia, is a remarkable and distinctive plant found across a broad geographical range. This species forms part of the Equisetaceae family, a lineage with profound historical and ecological significance.
Native to regions spanning Macaronesia, Europe extending to Iran, and North-West Africa, the Great horsetail thrives in a variety of habitats, exhibiting remarkable adaptability. Its presence over such a wide area underscores its resilience and capacity to flourish in diverse environmental conditions.
Equisetum telmateia was first described in 1783 by Ehrhart, an important figure in botany who formally classified this species in his work published in Hannover’s Magazin. This classification laid the foundation for subsequent botanical research and understanding of this species.
Characterized by its tall, reed-like appearance, the Great horsetail typically stands out in the landscapes it inhabits, often found in moist and marshy areas. Its vertical, segmented stems and brush-like appearance at the tips are distinctive features that make it easily identifiable. This structural form not only aids in its reproduction and colonization but also serves as a unique visual marker of the plant’s identity.
Historically, horsetails, including Equisetum telmateia, have been of interest not only for their ecological role but also for their historical uses in various cultures. They have been employed in folk medicine and used as abrasive materials due to their high silica content.
In conclusion, the Great horsetail underscores both the beauty and complexity of our natural world. Through its wide distribution and distinct morphology, it continues to captivate botanists and plant enthusiasts, contributing to our understanding of plant evolution and ecological dynamics.
Common Names
Dan: elfenbens-padderok
Deu: riesen-schachtelhalm, riesenschachtelhalm
Eng: giant horsetail, great horsetail
Fra: grande prêle, prêle élevée
Swe: jättefräken
Lav: liela kosa
Nld: reuzenpaardenstaart
Nno: kjempesnelle
Nob: kjempesnelle
Ita: equiseto maggiore
Cym: marchrawn mawr, marchrawn mwyaf, marchrawnen fawr, marchronell afonol, rhawn y march afonol
Spa: canutillos
En: Great horsetail, Giant horsetail
Ca: Cua de cavall grossa, Equiset màxim
Cs: Přeslička největší
Da: Elfenbens-padderok
Nl: Reuzenpaardenstaart, Reuzenpaardestaart
Fr: Grande prêle, Prêle élevée, Prêle géante, Prêle des marécages, Prêle ivoirine, Prêle très élevée
De: Riesen-Schachtelhalm, Riesenschachtelhalm, Groß-Schachtelhalm
He: שבטבט גדול
It: Equiseto maggiore, Equiseto massimo
Lv: Liela kosa
Nb: Kjempesnelle
Nn: Kjempesnelle
Sk: Praslička najväčšia
Es: Canutillos, Cola de Caballo, Equiseto mayor, Rabo de mula
Sv: Jättefräken
Cy: Marchrawn Mawr, Marchrawn Mwyaf, Marchrawnen Fawr, Marchronell Afonol, Rhawn y March Afonol
Synonyms
- Equisetum telmateia var. gracile (Milde)
- Presla eburnea ((Schreb. ex Roth) Dulac)
- Equisetum telmateia var. ramulosum (Milde)
- Equisetum maximum var. serotinum ((A.Br. ex Silliman) Rouy)
- Equisetum telmateia f. comosum (Milde)
- Equisetum telmateia var. caespitosum (Milde)
- Equisetum macrostachion (Poir.)
- Equisetum telmateia f. ramulosum ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum telmateia var. nanum (Van Hoek)
- Equisetum telmateia f. gracile ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum telmateia var. polystachyum (J.J.Schmitz & Regel)
- Equisetum telmateia f. humile ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum telmateia var. comosum ((Milde ) Milde)
- Equisetum caenosum (Clairv.)
- Equisetum telmateia f. caespitosum ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum telmateia var. pleiostachyum (Lange)
- Equisetum telmateia f. breve ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum telmateia var. breve (Milde)
- Equisetum eburneum (Schreb. ex Roth)
- Equisetum telmateia var. humile (Milde)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Lis G (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 18, 2008 by Tela Botanica − liliane pessotto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 2, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 23, 2020 by jacqueline mome (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Csaba Kerezsi (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 10, 2021 by trasumanante (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 21, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 1, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 21, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 2, 2018 by Cardito Alice (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Mar 30, 2021 by Alba (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2020 by jid (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 25, 2021 by Bénédicte OUDART (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 25, 2010 by Marcel Ambühl (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 25, 2019 by Eric BOUVET (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2022 by giancarlo giordano (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 23, 2021 by Lisetta Terzi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2019 by Monica Blackhall (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2022 by John Sycorax (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2687943)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:20007435-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Equisetum telmateia Ehrh.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.0
Ph minimum: 7.5
Light: 6
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’]
Soil nutriments: 6