Scouringrush Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine)

Scouringrush Horsetail

(Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine)

Scouringrush Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine)

Joe Decruyenaere

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Joe Decruyenaere

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Copyright Notice: Photo by: Joe Decruyenaere | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: joedecruyenaere | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, commonly known as Scouringrush Horsetail, is an evergreen perennial herb native to a wide range of habitats including moist woodlands, riverbanks, and wetlands across North America. It typically grows to a height of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) and can spread to a width of 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 meters), forming dense colonies with its rhizomatous growth habit. This plant is characterized by its rough, hollow, jointed stems that are dark green and photosynthetic, resembling bamboo. It does not produce flowers but reproduces by spores and is valued for its striking architectural form.

Scouringrush Horsetail is appreciated for its low maintenance and ability to thrive in wet, challenging conditions where other plants may struggle. It is often used in water gardens, as a pond marginal, and in rain gardens due to its tolerance for standing water and wet soil. It prefers full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions. While it is not known for disease problems, its aggressive spreading can become an issue if not managed, and it may require containment measures to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 3-4 feet
Width: 4-5 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Winter
Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium, Wet

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Moist woodlands, riverbanks, and wetlands across North America, Europe, and Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Dutch Rush, Common Scouring-Rush, Great Scouring-Rush, Prairie Scouring-Rush, Rough Horsetail, Scouring-Rush Horsetail, Tall Scouring-Rush, Winter Scouring-Rush, Prêle D’Hiver D’Amérique, Prêle D’Hiver

Scientific Names: , Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, Equisetum hyemale var. affine, Equisetum praealtum, Equisetum hyemale var. robustum, Equisetum robustum, Equisetum hyemale var. pseudohyemale, Equisetum hyemale var. elatum, Equisetum hyemale var. californicum, Equisetum prealtum

GBIF Accepted Name: Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine (Engelm.) Calder & Roy L.Taylor