Horsetail

Horsetail is the common name for plants in the genus *Equisetum*, a group of rushlike, jointed perennial vascular plants and the only living genus in the order Equisetales.

Horsetail is the common name for plants in the genus *Equisetum*, a group of rushlike, jointed perennial vascular plants and the only living genus in the order Equisetales. Horsetails reproduce by spores rather than seeds and are often described as ancient or “living fossil” plants. The name is also commonly applied to *Equisetum arvense* and related species in different regions.

Classification

Horsetails belong to the genus *Equisetum* in the family Equisetaceae. They are not flowering plants and are usually grouped with fern allies rather than true ferns.

Description

Horsetails are perennial plants with conspicuously jointed stems and a rushlike appearance. Many species have separate fertile and sterile shoots, and the plants spread by spores and underground rhizomes.

Distribution and habitat

Species of *Equisetum* are found in many temperate and northern regions worldwide. They commonly grow in moist soils, wetlands, disturbed ground, and along waterways.

Uses and significance

Some horsetail species have a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially for urinary and wound-related purposes. Modern sources note that clinical evidence for many uses is limited and safety can vary by preparation.