Horsetail

Horsetail

Natural History

Horsetail is a primitive plant, it is related to ferns and reproduces

by spores which are stored in cone like structures at the tip of the plant. It is a very common plant and grows world wide in many types of soil in moist areas. The plant consists of a jointed, non-branching, hollow stalk, which grows to 18 inches in height. Horsetail does not produce any leaves.

Horsetail is purported to possess medicinal properties by present day herbalists. Though it's prudent to view any such claims with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Horsetail is also known as 'scouring rush' and has been used for ages as an abrasive to clean pots and pans, and for scouring wooden containers.

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