Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Equisetaceae ⟩ Equisetum telmateia / great horsetail

Equisetum telmateia Ehrh.

great horsetail (Equisetaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencyS
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Equisetum telmateia is our largest horsetail, found across most of England, Wales and Ireland, and southern, western and north-eastern parts of Scotland.

Hurtmore (VC17: Surrey); 2016-05-17

 great horsetail / Equisetum telmateia: _Equisetum telmateia_ is our largest horsetail, found across most of England, Wales and Ireland, and southern, western and north-eastern parts of Scotland.

The stems of Equisetum telmateia are around 1 cm wide, with 20–40 ridges and 20–40 narrow teeth on each sheath.

Ballymoney (VCH12: Wexford); 2019-07-20

 great horsetail / Equisetum telmateia: The stems of _Equisetum telmateia_ are around 1 cm wide, with 20–40 ridges and 20–40 narrow teeth on each sheath.

The fertile stems of Equisetum telmateia are up to 30 cm (1 ft) high.

Durlston (VC9: Dorset); 2018-04-11

 great horsetail / Equisetum telmateia: The fertile stems of _Equisetum telmateia_ are up to 30 cm (1 ft) high.

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