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Equisetum praealtum

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Equisetum hyemale var. affine
Phonetic Spelling
ek-wis-SEE-tum pray-AL-tum
Description

Tall Scouring-rush is a native evergreen perennial rush found in open or wooded areas along stream banks, pond margins, ditches, floodplains, runoff flats, and wet ledges. Its native status includes the lower 48 states.   

Its smooth, segmented foliage makes an interesting addition to a pond or other water landscape or when grown in a container.  If using a container, drainage holes are discouraged.  

Dragonfly's love using this plant as a perch.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:   An aggressive plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#native perennials#stream banks#NC native#deer resistant#floodplain#food source summer#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#mammals#waterfowl#rushes#Audubon
 
Equisetum praealtum
Habit Thayne Tuason CC BY-SA 4.0
Equisetum praealtum
Cone Caromallo CC BY-SA 3.0
Equisetum praealtum
Close up Matt Lavin CC-BY-SA 2.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#native perennials#stream banks#NC native#deer resistant#floodplain#food source summer#food source herbage#Coastal FACW#Piedmont Mountains FACW#wet soils tolerant#mammals#waterfowl#rushes#Audubon
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Equisetum
    Species:
    praealtum
    Family:
    Equisetaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America, China
    Distribution:
    AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
    Play Value:
    Buffer
    Defines Paths
    Textural
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herb
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasional Flooding
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Description:
    This plant does not have fruit but does have cones. Spores are available from May to September.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Near Septic
    Patio
    Pond
    Pool/Hardscape
    Riparian
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Barrier
    Border
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil