Scouring rush

Hippochaete J.Milde, Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 23: 297. 1865

Aerial stems persisting more than a year (except Equisetum laevigatum ), with sunken stomates in single lines on each side of stem valleys; branches generally lacking or few (except E . ramosissimum ). Cones sharply pointed at apex (except E . laevigatum ).

Species 7 (5 in the flora): nearly worldwide.

The only species of this subgenus in the flora that is regularly branched, bearing several branches per midstem node, is Equisetum ramosissimum . The others, though normally unbranched, with age or injury may develop one or a few branches, usually from the proximal or most distal nodes.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Hauke, R.L. 1963. A taxonomic monograph of Equisetum subgenus Hippochaete. Beih. Nova Hedwigia 8: 1--123.