Family: Equisetaceae
Author: Ehrh.
Bibliography: Hannover. Mag. 22: 138 (1784)
Year: 1784
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Equisetum
Vegetable: False
Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
Meadow Horsetail
Meadow horsetail, scientifically known as Equisetum pratense, is a fascinating plant species that belongs to the family Equisetaceae. This species was first described in literature by Ehrh. in Hannover Magazine in the year 1784.
Habitat and Distribution
The meadow horsetail predominantly thrives in subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is commonly found in a variety of ecosystems, including wet meadows, riverbanks, and moist forest environments. This plant’s preference for such habitats highlights its adaptability to both cold and temperate climates.
Morphological Characteristics
Equisetum pratense is characterized by its distinctive, segmented stems that can grow to a considerable height. The stems are typically slender, hollow, and marked by a series of nodes that give the plant its jointed appearance. The segments of the stems are usually dark green, adding to their aesthetic appeal.
This species also has a unique reproductive system, producing spores instead of seeds. The sporophytes of meadow horsetail bear cone-like structures known as strobili, which facilitate spore dispersal.
Ecological Significance
Meadow horsetail plays a significant role in its native ecosystems. It contributes to the stabilization of soil in riparian zones, preventing erosion and encouraging a rich, biodiverse habitat. Additionally, it serves as a pioneer species, often colonizing disturbed areas and paving the way for other plants to establish.
Uses and Applications
While meadow horsetail is primarily valued for its ecological contributions, it also has a history of use in traditional medicine. Various cultures have utilized extracts from Equisetum pratense for their purported diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. The silica content in the plant has also found applications in traditional crafts, such as polishing wooden instruments.
Conclusion
In summary, meadow horsetail (Equisetum pratense) is a plant of substantial ecological and historical importance. Its presence in subarctic and temperate climates of the Northern Hemisphere underscores its adaptability and resilience. Moreover, its role in traditional medicine and ecological stability highlights the diverse contributions of this unique species.
Common Names
Dan: lund-padderok
Eng: meadow horsetail, shady horsetail, shade horsetail, thicket horsetail
Deu: wiesen-schachtelhalm
Nno: engsnelle
Nob: engsnelle
Nor: heste-snell, skov-snell
Swe: lehtokorte, ängsfräken
Fin: lehtokorte
Fra: prêle des prés
Sme: niitohoašša, njoammelsuoidni
Cym: marchrawn y cysgod, marchrawnen y cysgod
En: Meadow horsetail, Shady horsetail, Shade horsetail, Thicket horsetail
Ar: كنباث مرجي
Be: Хвошч лугавы
Zh: 草问荆
Cs: Přeslička luční
Da: Lund-Padderok
Nl: Veldpaardenstaart
Et: Aasosi
Fi: Lehtokorte
Fr: Prêle des prés, Prêle des champs
De: Wiesen-Schachtelhalm, Hein-Schachtelhalm
Is: Vallelfting
Ga: Scuab eich mhóinéir
It: Equiseto pratense
Lt: Ožkabarzdis asiūklis
Se: Niitohoašša, Njoammelsuoidni
No: Engsnelle, Heste-snell, Skov-snell
Nb: Engsnelle
Nn: Engsnelle
Pl: Skrzyp łąkowy
Ru: Хвощ луговой
Es: Travniška preslica
Sv: Ängsfräken, Lehtokorte
Zh-hant: 草問荊
Tr: Çayır atkuyruğu
Cy: Marchrawnen y cysgod, Marchrawn y Cysgod
Synonyms
- Equisetum pratense var. ramosissimum (Milde)
- Equisetum pratense f. serotinum (Milde)
- Equisetum pratense f. praecox (Milde)
- Equisetum arvense f. irriguum (Milde)
- Equisetum pratense f. nanum ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum ehrhartii (G.F.W.Mey.)
- Equisetum pratense f. sphacelatum ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum drummondii (Hook.)
- Equisetum umbrosum (G.Mey. ex Willd.)
- Equisetum pratense var. sphacelatum (Milde)
- Equisetum arvense f. macrostachyum (A.A.Eaton)
- Equisetum pratense var. nanum (Milde)
- Equisetum sylvaticum var. minus (Wahlenb.)
- Equisetum amphibolium (Retz & Sandm.)
- Equisetum pratense var. pyramidale (Milde)
- Equisetum arvense var. triquetrum (Bory ex Vauch.)
- Equisetum pratense f. pyramidale ((Milde ) Luerss.)
- Equisetum pratense f. ramosissimum ((Milde ) Luerss.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Labrador (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Maine (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New York (native)
- Newfoundland (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Nunavut (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Vermont (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken May 12, 2021 by Holly Thompson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 21, 2021 by Charles White (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2022 by Catherine Hurley (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2021 by Oosaagi (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 9, 2020 by Ines Guilbaud (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 30, 2022 by virge epi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2020 by Jaak Pärtel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Josef Schadenfroh (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 14, 2020 by jid (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2020 by Jaak Pärtel (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 13, 2022 by Wouter de Croon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Bark
Taken May 13, 2022 by Wouter de Croon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2020 by adele (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)
© 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.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2687942)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:60437142-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Equisetum pratense Ehrh.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb