Equisetum ramosissimum

Equisetum ramosissimum, known as branched horsetail, is a species of evergreen horsetail.

Description

Horsetail with untidy branches from the lower parts, with or without main upright stems, able to form a colony from underground roots. Rocky ground tends to constrict root-spread and favours a bushy appearance, unrocky ground favours more slender plants arising from spreading roots, and trampling or cutting affects shape. The general colour may have a blue-grey tinge, sometimes quite strongly, the stem when broad is fairly hollow and compressible, narrower branches rather tough and wiry, the stem ridges are conspicuous and slightly rough. The fertile cones when visible are from stems arising as part of the main plant and have pointed cone tips.
Habitat: Damp places and shingle.

Varieties and ranges

Equisteum ramosissimum var. ramosissimum has more obvious branching and persistent sheath teeth – Europe, W and S Asia, Africa, with some local introduction in the US.
Equisetum ramosissimum var. huegelii Christenh. & Husby inconspicuously branched, with sheath teeth falling early or persistent – SE Asia to Indonesia and Papua New Guinea