It is not easy to distinguish the non-poisonous field horsetail, also known as horsetail, from poisonous horsetail species. There is a great risk of confusion, especially with the marsh horsetail. Use these characteristics to identify field horsetail.
How do I recognize field horsetail?
Field horsetail can be recognized by the following characteristics: brown spore shoots, green shoots, branchless brownish sprouts, hollow and ribbed stems. The number of teeth on the leaf sheaths corresponds to the number of ribs. If you plant the horsetail yourself, you can avoid confusing it with poisonous species.
What does field horsetail look like?
At first glance, field horsetail looks a bit like a conifer, although of course much smaller.
First the brown spore shoots appear in spring, on which a spore ear forms at the top. It carries the spores through which the plant reproduces.
The spore shoots go back into the ground from May onwards. Then the green shoots appear with the typical leaf whorls, which can reach a height of 30 to 50 centimeters.
Characteristics for identifying field horsetail
- Color of the spore shoots: brown
- Color of shoots: green
- Sprouts: branchless, brownish
- Stem cross section: hollow, ribbed
- Number of teeth on leaf sheaths: corresponds to number of ribs
To clearly identify field horsetail and eliminate the risk of confusion with marsh horsetail, pick a stem and cut it in half. This allows you to clearly see the cross section.
An important characteristic is the width of the stem. In contrast to marsh horsetail, the stems of horsetail are wider than three millimeters.
Where does field horsetail grow?
As the name suggests, field horsetail is common in fields. It grows wherever the soil is heavily compacted.
horsetail is a location indicator that indicates waterlogging. In addition to fields, it grows on field edges, in moist meadows and in gardens with very firm soil. It also likes to spread in the lawn.
Planting field horsetail in the garden
One way to avoid confusion with poisonous species is to plant field horsetail in the garden - if there isn't one there already.
Since the plant spreads very quickly and is difficult to control, you should grow it in a pot. Then the horsetail cannot reproduce via the rhizomes. You should cut off the spore ears as soon as possible so that the field horsetail cannot spread via spores.
Tip
If you are not sure whether you are really dealing with field horsetail, it is better to be on the safe side. If it is confused with marsh horsetail, there is a risk of poisoning. Field horsetail is available as an extract (€19.00 on Amazon) or as a dried herb in garden shops or pharmacies.
