Weeds - Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

State Prohibited Weed
Horsetail
Description: Erect, non-flowering herb with ribbed/grooved
stems to 80 cm long.
spores: Pale green to yellowish, produced in cones 1-4 cm
long produced at the end of fertile stems.
leaves: Green, in rings of 6-18 on main stems. Sheath
5-8 mm long with teeth 2-3 mm long.
stems: 2 types (fertile and sterile), both jointed (She-oak like),
ribbed/grooved and hollow to 80 cm long. Fertile stems are
often shorter, whitish to brown and appear before sterile stem
in early spring. Sterile stems are green and appear in late
spring.
Roots: Deep growing (up-to several metres long) with dark
brown to black wiry rhizomous roots.
Note: Has the ability to spread by spores, rhizomes and
tubers. Potential to spread through the careless disposal of
garden waste.
similar Native species: Unlikely to be confused with native
species.
44
Equisetum spp.
(Field Horsetail, Scouring Rush, Snake Bean, Snake Plant)
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