Illustrator: Laurie Klingensmith

Copyright: Flora of North America Association

Aerial stems persisting more than a year (except Equisetum laevigatum), with sunken stomates in single lines on each side of stem valleys; branches generally lacking or few (except E. ramosissimum). Cones sharply pointed at apex (except E. laevigatum).

Distribution

Nearly worldwide.

Discussion

The only species of this subgenus in the flora that is regularly branched, bearing several branches per midstem node, is Equisetum ramosissimum. The others, though normally unbranched, with age or injury may develop one or a few branches, usually from the proximal or most distal nodes.

Species 7 (5 in the flora).

Selected References

Hauke, R.L. 1963. A taxonomic monograph of Equisetum subgenus Hippochaete. Beih. Nova Hedwigia 8: 1--123.

Lower Taxa

Equisetum arvense, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Equisetum pratense, Equisetum sylvaticum, Equisetum telmateia, Equisetum ×litorale