Pteridophytes

Equisetaceae
Horsetail Family

• Stem: perennial; from an underground stem; 2’ to 4’ tall; jointed; unbranched; surface ribbed and very rough; sheath of tiny leaves at each node, with 1/16” points, the points soon dropping; one dark band encircles each leaf sheath just below the points (at the top of the leaf sheath after the points drop).
• Cone: at the tip of the stem; 3/4” long by 3/16” in diameter; cylindrical, tapering to an abrupt, pointed tip; producing spores from tiny capsules (sporangia) underneath the shield-like plates of the cone; cone development begins in late May and continues until late June; a few plants produce cones in the fall.
• Habitat: common on mesic prairies; also on dry prairies and roadsides; usually growing in patches.
• Notes: Another scouring-rush, Equisetum hyemale L., closely resembles smooth scouring-rush, but has two dark bands on each leaf sheath. It is found in more moist habitats and more often under trees.
• Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library
• Vascular Plants of Iowa