Equisetum hyemale
Equisetum hyemale L.
Equisetum hyemale, commonly known as rough horsetail or scouring rush, is an evergreen perennial herbaceous pteridophyte in the horsetail family Equisetaceae native to Eurasia and Greenland.
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Equisetum hyemaleEquisetum hyemale
Equisetum hyemale
Equisetum hyemale
Equisetum hyemale
Equisetum hyemale
Equisetum hyemaleEquisetum hyemaleEquisetum hyemaleOverview
Equisetum hyemale, commonly known as rough horsetail or scouring rush, is an evergreen perennial herbaceous pteridophyte in the horsetail family Equisetaceae native to Eurasia and Greenland. It was formerly widely treated in a broader sense including a subspecies (subsp. affine) in North America, but this is now treated as a separate species, Equisetum praealtum.
Updated by lebachungtdh@gmail.com · 10/15/2026
Life cycle
From seed to productSpore & prothallus
Ferns propagate by **spores** (or by rhizome division): sow spores on a moist substrate away from direct sun.
Young sporophyte
Spores germinate into heart-shaped prothalli requiring high humidity and diffuse light.
Frond growth
The fern grows its fronds: **pale brown spore cones at the tips, May–August**.
Mature & spores
Sori develop on the underside of the fronds; **stems cut in autumn and dried**.
Uses
- Disperses wind-heat and brightens the eyes.
- Used for red eyes and tearing.
- Stops bleeding, including nosebleeds.
- Diuretic.
- Helps reduce swelling and inflammation.
Habitat & conservation
Equisetum hyemale, commonly known as rough horsetail or scouring rush, is an evergreen perennial herbaceous pteridophyte in the horsetail family Equisetaceae native to Eurasia and Greenland.
Conservation
Equisetum hyemale has not been assessed by the IUCN Red List (NE). As a medicinal plant, it benefits from sustainable collection and propagation to protect wild genetic resources.
References
- 1Wikipedia – Equisetum hyemale — Wikipedia,
- 2Kew POWO – Equisetum hyemale — Plants of the World Online (Kew),
- 3Wikidata – Q263881 — Wikidata,