Family: Equisetaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1062 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Equisetum
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Greenland, Temp. Eurasia
Description
Great scouring-rush, known scientifically as Equisetum hyemale, is a remarkable plant distinguished by its fascinating structure and historical significance. This species was first documented in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus. Its striking appearance and resilient nature have made it a subject of interest in botanical studies and various practical applications.
This perennial plant is native to a wide range, notably thriving in the temperate regions of Eurasia and extending to the southeastern parts of Greenland. Great scouring-rush is part of the Equisetaceae family, a group known for its ancient lineage and unique reproductive methods. The plant itself features hollow, segmented stems that are often dark green to nearly black, with a rough, abrasive texture akin to sandpaper. These stems can grow up to several feet in height and are typically unbranched, though they occasionally may exhibit sparse branching.
The remarkable durability and resilience of Equisetum hyemale’s stems historically earned it the name “scouring-rush.” Before the advent of modern cleaning tools, these stems were commonly used for scrubbing pots and polishing wood due to their high silica content, which gives them their gritty texture. This practical use underscores the plant’s utility beyond its aesthetic and ecological value.
Ecologically, Great scouring-rush plays a significant role in its native habitats. It often establishes itself in wet, marshy environments, where it can help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. The plant’s robust root system allows it to thrive in challenging conditions, making it an important component of the ecosystems where it is found.
For botanists and nature enthusiasts, Equisetum hyemale offers a glimpse into the past, as its lineage dates back to the times of ancient forests that once covered the Earth. Studying this plant provides valuable insights into the evolution of non-flowering plants and the intricate balance of natural ecosystems. Its presence across a vast geographical range highlights its adaptability and the critical ecological functions it serves in diverse environments.
In summary, Great scouring-rush is a plant of both historical and ecological significance. Its distinctive appearance and versatile uses, coupled with its robust presence in various regions, make it a fascinating subject for botanical research and environmental preservation efforts.
Common Names
Eng: common scouring-rush, great scouring-rush, horsetail, rough horsetail, scouring horsetail, scouringrush, scouringrush horsetail, shave-grass, tall scouring-rush, western scouringrush, dutch rush, prairie scouring-rush, scouring-rush, scouring-rush horsetail, winter scouring-rush
Dan: skavgræs
Deu: winter-schachtelhalm, winterschachtelhalm, überwinternder schachtelhalm
Por: cavalinha, cavalinha-do-seco
Swe: kangaskorte, skavfräken, skavgräs, skäfte
Fin: kangaskorte
Fra: prêle d’hiver, prêle dhiver, prêle des tourneurs
Nld: schaafstro, vertakt schaafstro
Nor: skav-græs, skjefte, skur-græs
Nno: skavgras
Nob: skavgras
Sme: guolbbagorddet
Ita: equiseto invernale
Cym: marchrawn y gaeaf, marchrawnen y gaeaf
En: Great scouring-rush, Shave-grass, Rough horsetail, Common scouring-rush, Scouringrush horsetail, HORSETAIL, SCOURINGRUSH, TALL SCOURING-RUSH, WESTERN SCOURINGRUSH, Dutch Rush, Scouring-Rush, Scouring horsetail, Prairie scouring-rush, Scouring-rush horsetail, Winter scouring-rush, Shavegrass
Ar: كنباث شتوي
Az: Qışlayan qatırquyruğu
Ca: Aspreta
Zh: 木贼
Cs: Přeslička zimní
Da: Skavgræs
Nl: Schaafstro, Vertakt schaafstro
Et: Raudosi
Fi: Kangaskorte
Fr: Prêle d’hiver, Prêle dhiver, Prêle des tourneurs, Jonc hollandais, Prêle à polir, Prêle des ébénistes
De: Winter-Schachtelhalm, Winterschachtelhalm, Überwinternder Schachtelhalm
Hu: Téli zsurló
Is: Eski
Ga: Bioróg
It: Equiseto invernale
Ja: Tokusa
Ko: 속새
Lt: Šiurkštusis asiūklis
Se: Guolbbagorddet
No: Skavgras, Skav-græs, Skjefte, Skur-græs
Nb: Skavgras
Nn: Skavgras
Fa: دماسب خشن
Pl: Skrzyp zimowy
Pt: Cavalinha, Cavalinha-do-seco
Ru: Хвощ зимующий
Es: Hierba castañera, Rabo de lagarto
Sv: Skavfräken, Kangaskorte, Skavgräs, Skäfte
Zh-tw: 木賊
Uk: Хвощ зимовий
Cy: Marchrawnen y gaeaf, Marchrawn y Gaeaf
Synonyms
- Equisetum hyemale var. javanicum (Milde)
- Equisetum hyemale var. viride (Milde)
- Equisetum hyemale var. fuscozonatum (Schur)
- Equisetum alpinum (Schur)
- Equisetum hyemale f. paleaceum (Rabenh.)
- Equisetum hyemale subsp. paleaceum ((Schleich. ex A.Braun & Engelm.) R.C.V.Douin)
- Equisetum hyemale f. doellii (Luerss.)
- Equisetum hyemale var. capillare ((Hy) Rouy)
- Equisetum hyemale f. viride ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum hyemale f. attenuatum (Milde)
- Hippochaete hyemalis ((L.) Milde ex Bruhin)
- Equisetum hyemale var. rabenhorstii (Milde)
- Equisetum hyemale var. fallax (Milde)
- Equisetum hyemale var. minus (A.Braun ex Milde)
- Equisetum hyemale var. ramigerum ((Milde ) Rouy)
- Equisetum hyemale f. minus ((A.Braun ex Milde) Luerss.)
- Equisetum hyemale var. brevivaginatum (Rosend.)
- Equisetum hyemale var. simplex (Wallr.)
- Equisetum hyemale f. hondae ((Satou) Nakaike)
- Equisetum hyemale var. subramosum (A.Braun)
- Equisetum hyemale var. uliginosum (Borkh.)
- Equisetum hyemale var. doellii (Milde)
- Equisetum hyemale var. paleaceum (Schleich. ex A.Braun & Engelm.)
- Equisetum hyemale var. paucifolium (Gray)
- Presla hyemalis ((L.) Dulac)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Greenland (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Tasmania (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Sep 8, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 16, 2020 by hagebutte fräulein (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Salatova Jindra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 4, 2021 by Salatova Jindra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Feb 18, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 22, 2021 by geneve perma (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 12, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2017 by Eleno U Sanjuan (cc-by-sa)
© 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 Jun 18, 2005 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Dec 5, 2021 by Cordyceps156 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 26, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2020 by idyliik (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 11, 2021 by Ortega Vanesa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 13, 2021 by Alain Quevillon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 30, 2020 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2008 by EOL − Keir Morse (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 4, 2008 by Tela Botanica − liliane pessotto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 19, 2019 by Felicia Felicia (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2687927)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:92939-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Equisetum hyemale L.)
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 4
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 6