Scouringrush Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)
- Family: Horsetail (Equisetaceae)
- "Cones": May-September
- Field Marks: This Equisetum lacks lateral branches, sheds its tiny scale-like teeth on the sheaths during the growing season, and has a "cone" usually at least 1/2 inch long.
- Habitat: Along streams, roadsides and railroads, alluvial soil.
- Habit: Perennial with black rhizomes.
- Stems: Erect, usually unbranched, jointed, green, grooved, slightly rough to the touch, up to 4 feet tall, evergreen.
- Leaves: Reduced to a ring of teeth at each joint on the stem, the teeth black and falling away during the growing season.
- Fruits: Spores borne in terminal "cones" 1/2-1 inch long, pointed at the tip.
- Notes: This species was used by the early settlers to scour and clean pots and pans.
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