How old is horsetail

Indeed, these findings support the idea that Equisetum is an extremely ancient genus that has undergone little evolutionary innovation over the last million years. Yet this species' distinguished phylogenetic placement is not the only exciting and unique aspect of this fossil discovery.

Because E. They could also compare its morphological features to extant species of Equisetum today -- which can also be found in mineral- and geothermal-spring environments -- and make inferences about the fossil species' ecology.

Indeed, the authors found that E. For example, E. These stresses mean local plants suffer physiological drought -- because taking up water also means an increase in the uptake of, for example, salt -- and typically have anatomical features that help reduce water loss through evapotranspiration.

Channing points out that E. Its epidermis had thick outer walls, a well-developed cuticle and silica deposits, and its stomata were situated well below the stem surface and were protected by cover-cells and silica deposits. Materials provided by American Journal of Botany.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. Journal Reference : A. Channing, A. Zamuner, D. Edwards, D. Common horsetail and scouring rush E.

Settlers used silica-encrusted stems of both these species for cleaning and sanding. The former is still used to hone woodwind reeds. Common horsetail has been reported poisonous to livestock in Canada. The Plant List Search this online database for information about one million plant species from around the world. Also, click on "major plant groups" at the bottom of the page to browse descriptions of species of interest.

Fungi and algae are excluded. Search The Canadian Encyclopedia. Remember me. I forgot my password. Why sign up? Create Account. Suggest an Edit. Enter your suggested edit s to this article in the form field below. These persist from summer until the first frost. It spreads from rhizomes which can grow as deep as six feet.

Equisetum arvense is distributed throughout temperate and arctic areas of the northern hemisphere, growing typically in moist soils. Because of its rhizomatous growth habit and the depth which its roots can reach, common horsetail can be difficult to eliminate from sites where it is unwanted. This has also created concerns about its potential for invasiveness, and indeed it is considered invasive in New Zealand. Equisetum arvense has a long history of cultural use with Native Americans and ancient Roman and Chinese physicians using it to treat a variety of ailments.

It is still of interest today as an herbal remedy because of its purported effectiveness as a diuretic.