Smooth Horsetail
(Equisetum laevigatum)
Smooth Horsetail (Equisetum laevigatum)
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Amy Washuta
CC BY 2.0
Image By:
Amy Washuta
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Copyright:
CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Amy Washuta | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: amywashuta | Publisher: Flickr
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Equisetum laevigatum, commonly known as smooth horsetail or smooth scouring rush, is a perennial herb that is native to a wide range of habitats in North America, including wet meadows, stream banks, and other moist, open areas with sandy and gravelly substrates, but not excluding northern Canada and southern Mexico. It typically grows between 2 to 4 feet tall, with hollow, jointed stems that are green and smooth, lacking the rough ridges of many other horsetail species. The plant reproduces both by spores produced in cone-like structures at the tips of certain stems and by extensive rhizomes, which contribute to its potential invasiveness.
Smooth horsetail is valued for its architectural form and prehistoric appearance, which can add interest to water features, rain gardens, and naturalistic plantings. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers consistently moist to wet soils. While it has no notable flower, its evergreen stems provide visual interest throughout the year. In cultivation, it is important to control its spread, as it can become aggressive, especially in ideal wet conditions. It is not commonly afflicted by diseases or pests, but its aggressive root system can be problematic if not managed.CC BY-SA 4.0
Smooth horsetail is valued for its architectural form and prehistoric appearance, which can add interest to water features, rain gardens, and naturalistic plantings. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers consistently moist to wet soils. While it has no notable flower, its evergreen stems provide visual interest throughout the year. In cultivation, it is important to control its spread, as it can become aggressive, especially in ideal wet conditions. It is not commonly afflicted by diseases or pests, but its aggressive root system can be problematic if not managed.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 1-5 feet
- Width: 1-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: High
- Drainage: Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Native to wet meadows, stream banks, and other moist, open areas with sandy and gravelly substrates across North America
Other Names
Common Names: Smooth Horsetail , Smooth Scouring Rush , Summer Horsetail , Summer Scouring-Rush
Scientific Names: Equisetum laevigatum , Equisetum fontinale , Equisetum funstonii , Equisetum funstonii f. caespitosum , Equisetum funstonii f. nudum , Equisetum funstonii f. polystachyum , Equisetum funstonii f. ramosum , Equisetum funstonii var. caespitosum , Equisetum funstonii var. nudum , Equisetum funstonii var. ramosum
GBIF Accepted Name: