• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Texas A&M Forest Service
  • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
  • Texas A&M AgriLife Research
  • Texas A&M College of Agrculture and Life Sciences
A Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Identify a Plant
  • FAQs
    • FAQs List
    • Do I need a permit?
    • Glossary
  • AquaExtension Events & Learning
  • Videos
  • Get Help

Horsetail

Equisetum hyemale

horsetail drawing

horsetail side view
horsetail close up
horsetail along bank

Illustration courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. Used with permission.

What is Horsetail?

Physical Characteristics

Sheaths:

  • Cylindrical
  • Usually has black band at base
  • Central portion whitish-gray to pinkish in color
  • Has ridges
  • 0.2-0.47 inches long

Fruit:

  • Egg-shaped cones
  • 0.5-1 inches long
  • 0.2-0.39 inches in diameter

Stem:

  • Slender rhizome
  • Blackish in color

Upright Stems:

  • Evergreen
  • Standing alone
  • Many ridges
  • Up to 9 feet tall & 1 inch in diameter

Branches:

  • Similar to primary stems, but smaller in size

Where Does it Grow?


USDA, NRCS. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Horsetail can be found in sandy or loamy soil in open or wooded areas along streams and flats, in seepage, and on wet ledges.

Pros and Cons of Horsetail

Horsetail has no known direct food value to wildlife. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc.). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

How to Manage This Plant
Plant Glossary

AquaExtension Newsletter

Receive updates on upcoming webinars and newly published materials.

Sign Up Now

Newsletter Archive

Upcoming Events

Jan 21
Featured Featured January 21 @ 6:00 pm - October 21 @ 7:30 pm CST

2025 Aquatic Webinar Series Bundle

Jul 8
Featured Featured 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm CDT

Sizing up a Pond For Realtors & New Landowners

Jul 22
Featured Featured 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm CDT

Pond Management Myth Busting 101: Water Quality Webinar

View Calendar

Search for a type of plant

Hire a Professional Contact Your Ag & Natural Resource Agent Aquatic Plant Nurseries Aquatic Herbicide Tables
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M University System Member

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Click to view full permission and citation information

Aquatic plant photographs were provided by David Bayne, Jim Davis, Kelly Duffie, Billy Higginbotham, Michael Masser, John Clayton, Chetta Owens, Diane Smith, Joe Snow, Don Steinbach, Bridget Robinson Lassiter and Peter Woods.

You may use these photos, so long as you give credit to AquaPlant.

  • Compact with Texans
  • Privacy and Security
  • Accessibility Policy
  • State Link Policy
  • Statewide Search
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Military Families
  • Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline
  • Texas Homeland Security
  • Texas Veteran's Portal
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Open Records/Public Information