Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Equisetum arvense L.

field horsetail (Equisetaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyNW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Equisetum arvense is a ubiquitous weed of various grasslands and synanthropic habitats; it has separate vegetative and fertile stems.

Manchester (VC59: South Lancashire); 2007-04-19

 field horsetail / Equisetum arvense: _Equisetum arvense_ is a ubiquitous weed of various grasslands and synanthropic habitats; it has separate vegetative and fertile stems.

On Equisetum arvense, the lowest internode of the branches is at least as long as the adjacent stem-sheath, like Equisetum pratense, but lacks the scarious margins on the stem-sheath teeth and rough stems of that species.

Longhoughton (VC68: North Northumberland); 2019-07-03

 field horsetail / Equisetum arvense: On _Equisetum arvense_, the lowest internode of the branches is at least as long as the adjacent stem-sheath, like _Equisetum pratense_, but lacks the scarious margins on the stem-sheath teeth and rough stems of that species.

The fertile stems of Equisetum arvense are brown, with a 1–4 cm ‘cone’ at the apex.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2019-04-01

 field horsetail / Equisetum arvense: The fertile stems of _Equisetum arvense_ are brown, with a 1–4 cm ‘cone’ at the apex.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne