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Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Emerging Equisetum

 
You might remember the horsetail from last Saturday that was just getting its leaves.

meadow horsetail

I wasn't sure if it was Meadow Horsetail, Equisetum pratense, or Woodland Horsetail, Equisetum sylvaticum. Now I know the answers! It's really easy, once you see them both. This is Meadow Horsetail, which grows up to look like this with ranks of straight leaves like the spokes of a wheel.

meadow horsetail

Yesterday, I stopped at a place where I knew the Woodland Horsetail grows to see if I could find any new ones. I did!

woodland horsetail

It also grows in ranks, but the leaves are branched, and that is really obvious in the emerging stalks. They look like little trees- a tiny woodland.

When full grown, here's what they look like.

woodland horsetail

See Woodland Horsetail
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6 comments:

Lin said...

Oh, cool. I don't think I've ever seen these before.

D.G. Hudson said...

I've seen horsetail before, but didn't know there were two types. Interesting seeing that in-between stage. Great shots.

Sharkbytes said...

Lin- Start looking!

DG- There are quite a few types, but a manageable number

Duxbury Ramblers said...

It is one that we do get but not in this area, mainly Scotland we call it Shade Horsetail, our Wood Horsetail is E. sylvaticum, we get areas of of what look like tiny, pale green Christmas trees.

Ann said...

Now that I see them opened up I guess I have seen them before but when I just saw the first picture I wasn't familiar with it. Guess I should pay more attention to things out there. :)

Secondary Roads said...

I can see why they cal it horse tail.