great horsetail

Equisetum telmateia

Member of horsetails (genus Equisetum)
horsetail family (family Equisetaceae)
horsetails (order Equisetales)
horsetails (subclass Equisetidae)
ferns (class Polypodiopsida)

There are no other wild members of this species in California.

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Only one “living fossil” genus remains in the horsetail family. All other genuses are extinct.

european giant horsetail
Equisetum telmateia ssp. telmateia

• main stem between nodes is pale greenish white (example)
• not found in California

Toxicity of foxtail, horse willow, horsetail, mexican horsetail, rush (Equisetum spp.):
4 – Ingestion of these plants, especially in large amounts, is expected to cause serious effects to the heart, liver, kidneys or brain. If ingested in any amount, call the poison center immediately.

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1 observed taxon / 1 unobserved taxon / 1 key

Chris’s observations: 21 (12 are research grade)

Locations:

• Big Basin SP: 3
• Pescadero Creek CP: 3
• El Corte de Madera OSP: 2
• Murray Ranch SP: 2
• Alum Rock Park, San Jose
• Castle Rock SP
• Garrapata SP
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area
• Mt. Tamalpais Watershed
• Nisene Marks SP
• Portola Redwoods SP
• Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP
• Russian Ridge OSP
• San Bruno Mountain State & County Park
• Skyline Ridge OSP

Months:

• Apr.: 2
• May: 5
• Jun.: 0
• Jul.: 6
• Aug.: 7
• Sep.: 1

For more details, use advanced search.

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Taxon info: iNaturalist – Calflora – CalPhotos – Jepson eFlora – FNA

Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora