Equisetum (Horsetail)

plants · spores · ancient

Living fossils. Equisetum plants have barely changed for 300 million years, which makes them one of Earth's oldest plant designs that's still alive today.

Spore spreaders. Unlike most plants that make seeds, horsetails release tiny spores that drift on the wind to create new plants, just like ferns do.

Silica superstars. These plants soak up silica (the same stuff that makes glass) from soil, which makes their stems feel rough and even lets them polish metal.

Ancient giants. Millions of years ago, horsetail relatives grew as tall as trees and formed huge forests, but today's horsetails stay much smaller.

Everywhere worldwide. You can find horsetails on every continent except Antarctica, usually growing in wet spots like stream banks and swamps.