Equisetum sp.
Horsetail, scouring rush, Scouring Rush
(c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Hacker · licence
Family: Equisetaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Equisetum sp. (Horsetail) is a non-native California perennial in the Equisetaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Foeniculum: Equisetum has scale-like leaves in whorls; Fennel has feathery, thread-like leaf divisions.; vs Hippuris: Equisetum has fused scale-like leaves at joints; Hippuris has separate linear leaves in whorls.; vs Juncus: Equisetum stems have distinct joints with leaf whorls; Juncus stems are smooth without joints.; vs Elegia: Equisetum stems are rough and hollow with whorled scales; Elegia has smooth stems with overlapping leaf sheaths.; vs Pinus: Equisetum is an herbaceous plant with jointed stems; Pine is a woody tree with needle clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Equisetum sp. native to California?
No. Equisetum sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Equisetum sp. belong to?
Equisetum sp. is in the Equisetaceae family, genus Equisetum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.