Wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum, Sp. Pl.: 1061 (1753))

Family: Equisetaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1061 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Equisetum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Wood horsetail, scientifically known as Equisetum sylvaticum, is a fascinating and ancient plant belonging to the Equisetaceae family. This distinctive species was first described in 1753 and has garnered attention for its unique structural attributes and wide geographical distribution.

Residing predominantly in subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, wood horsetail thrives in environments rich in moisture, such as wetlands, forested areas, and stream banks. Its native habitats span across vast northern territories, encompassing regions that experience cooler temperatures and a plethora of precipitation, contributing to the plant’s flourishing ecosystems.

One of the most distinctive features of Equisetum sylvaticum is its appearance. The plant bears a striking resemblance to ancient, primordial vegetation, characterized by its hollow, jointed stems and whorls of feathery, thin branches. These branches create an appearance akin to intricate, airy lacework, which gently sways with the wind, adding an ethereal quality to its presence in the wild. The stems of wood horsetail are segmented, with each section marked by nodes from which the delicate side branches radiate.

Wood horsetail also exhibits a unique reproductive strategy that harkens back to prehistoric times. Unlike flowering plants, Equisetum sylvaticum reproduces via spores produced in cone-like structures known as strobili, located at the tips of some of the stems. This reproductive method is a remnant of an ancient lineage of plants that dominated the Earth’s landscapes long before the age of dinosaurs.

Ecologically, wood horsetail plays a significant role in its natural habitats. It is known for thriving in disturbed soils, helping to prevent erosion and contributing to soil stabilization. Additionally, the plant provides habitat and cover for a variety of wildlife, particularly in wetland environments.

In summary, wood horsetail (Equisetum sylvaticum) is a remarkable species that invites admiration for both its ancient lineage and its distinctive, graceful appearance. Its successful adaptation to subarctic and temperate regions showcases the resilience and enduring legacy of the Equisetaceae family, solidifying its place in the rich tapestry of the world’s flora.

Common Names

Dan: skov-padderok
Deu: wald-schachtelhalm, waldschachtelhalm
Eng: wood horsetail, woodland horsetail
Nld: bospaardenstaart
Nor: heste-snell, skov-snell
Swe: metsäkorte, skogsfräken
Fin: metsäkorte
Fra: prêle des bois
Nob: skogsnelle
Nno: skogsnelle
Sme: meahccehoašša, guossarássi, čuokŋjátrássi, čuotnjátrássi
Cym: marchrawn y coed, marchrawnen y coed, rhawn march y coed, rhawn y coed, rhawn-y-march coediog
En: Wood horsetail, Woodland horsetail
Ar: كنباث حرجي
Be: Хвошч лясны
Bg: Горски хвощ
Zh: 林木贼
Cs: Přeslička lesní
Da: Skov-Padderok
Nl: Bospaardenstaart, Bospaardestaart
Et: Metsosi
Fi: Metsäkorte
Fr: Prêle des bois, Prêle des forêts
De: Wald-Schachtelhalm, Waldschachtelhalm
Hu: Erdei zsurló
Is: Skógelfting
Ga: Scuab eich choille
It: Equiseto selvatico, Equiseto silvestre
Lt: Miškinis asiūklis
Se: Meahccehoašša, Guossarássi, Čuokŋjátrássi, Čuotnjátrássi
No: Skogsnelle, Heste-snell, Skov-snell
Nb: Skogsnelle
Nn: Skogsnelle
Pl: Skrzyp leśny
Ru: Хвощ лесной
Es: Cola de Caballo de Bosque
Sv: Skogsfräken, Metsäkorte
Uk: Хвощ лісовий
Cy: Marchrawnen y coed, Marchrawn y Coed, Rhawn March y Coed, Rhawn y Coed, Rhawn-y-March Coediog

Synonyms

• Presla sylvatica ((L.) Dulac)
• Equisetum silvaticum var. squarrosum (A.A.Eaton)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. multiramosum ((Fernald) Wherry)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. praecox (Milde)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. tardatum (Lepage)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. serum (Lepage)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. serotinum ((Milde ) Luerss.)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. serotinum (Milde)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. robustum (Milde)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. pyramidale (Milde)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. squarrosum (A.A.Eaton)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. gracile (Luerss.)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. polystachyum (Milde)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. polystachyum ((Milde ) Luerss.)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. pyramidale ((Milde ) Luerss.)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. praecox ((Milde ) Luerss.)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. procumbens (Gray)
• Equisetum capillare (Hoffm.)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. neoserotinum (Vict.)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. opsistachyum (Lepage)
• Equisetum sylvaticum var. capillare ((Hoffm.) Rupr.)
• Equisetum abietinum (Flörke ex Milde)
• Equisetum curvifolium (Flörke ex Milde)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. capillare ((Milde ) Luerss.)
• Equisetum opbraculense (Hoorebeke)
• Equisetum sylvaticum f. multiramosum (Fernald)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (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)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (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)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 26, 2021 by Sébastien zwingelstein (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2022 by henri delozanne (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by NP7 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Rinusz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Rinusz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 3, 2021 by SandraLS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Nikita Karuma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2020 by Serge Girardin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2021 by Meyer Gerhard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Rinusz (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by Jardin Des Cocagnous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by lorenzo camillucci (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2022 by Fabi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Nicolò Lo Cicero (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 18, 2019 by Georg Lanzl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2019 by Francois Lelievre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2020 by petra Bosakova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2019 by Francois Lelievre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2021 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 17, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2002 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 12, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 6, 2021 by Nicolò Lo Cicero (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 4, 2021 by Karen Vorberg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 15, 2015 by EOL − Marion Zöller (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 11, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Acharacle Nibheis (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2687929)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:303325-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Equisetum sylvaticum L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 4

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 4