Horsetail or Scouring rush
| Botanical Name | Equisetum hyemale |
| Common Name | Horsetail or Scouring rush |
| Family | Equisetaceae - Horsetail |
| Description | Green sectional stems are hollow, often with black bands. Stems can be easily pulled apart at nodes. Found in wet areas or in relatively dry soils |
| Mature Size | 2 - 5 feet tall |
| Bloom | Bears cones, not flowers, in July and August. |
| Interesting Facts | Horsetails are the only remaining ones of this kind from millions of years ago, when they grew to a gigantic size. |
| Traditional and Medicinal Uses | Native Americans used it as a diuretic when there was difficulty expelling urine. Uses: Can be bundled and dried forming a scouring pad for cleaning and shining aluminum, copper and wood. |
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Photo for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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Photo for SFBG by Janice Tucker
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