Equisetum hyemale, also known as scouring rush or horsetail reed, is a non-flowering, rush-like, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial plant. It typically reaches a height of 3-5 feet and is native to large areas of Eurasia, Canada, and the United States, including Texas. It is commonly found in wet woods, moist hillsides, and around water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. The plant has rigid, rough, hollow, vertically rigid, jointed-and-segmented, bamboo-like stems that are dark green. These stems emerge from the plant's rhizomes and are marked by whorls of tiny, scale-like leaves at each node. The evergreen nature of the stems makes them particularly noticeable in winter, adding interest to the landscape.
The high silica content of the stems led to their historical use by early Americans for polishing pots and pans, which is why the plant is called scouring rush. Despite its name, Equisetum is not a rush or a fern. It is the only surviving genus of a class of primitive vascular plants that dates back to the mid-Devonian period, over 350 million years ago. Today, equisetums are classified as fern allies because, like ferns, they are non-flowering, seedless plants that reproduce by spores.
This plant thrives in medium to wet soils, full sun, and part shade. It has a high tolerance for a wide range of soils and can grow in up to 4 inches of standing water.
