Vegetative reproduction and regeneration is by detached rhizome sections or tubers. Most of the tubers are found below 50 cm depth. Rhizomes may produce numerous tubers, 300-1,000 per m³ of soil. Tubers may continue to grow in size and number until November. Tubers are initiated in July and formation is thought to be influence by soil pH and soil type. Tubers are produced at the nodes of the rhizomes and may be present singly or in strings of two to four. In fallow soil and where there is little crop competition more rhizomes are found at shallower levels. Over half the rhizomes are found in the upper 25 cm of soil. The rhizome system can be extensive both horizontally and vertically and may reach over 1.5 m deep depending on substrate and water table. The rhizomes grow rapidly in June-July and continue to elongate beyond October. Stored food reserves are used up from late-April to mid-May and the reserves are replenished from mid-May to August. Maximum vegetative growth of field horsetail occurs in July. The early stages of development are very susceptible to desiccation and few new plants are produced from spores but once established the plants become resistant to dry conditions. These sporelings soon become rhizomatous and quickly develop successive layers of horizontal rhizomes at 30 cm intervals as growth continues downwards. After fertilisation, cell division results in the formation of a shoot apex and roots. ![]() The single cone on each fertile stem can release 100,000 spores that germinate quickly on moist surfaces to produce male and female gametophytes that mature only within a narrow range of conditions. The cone bearing fertile stems develop from subterranean buds formed the previous summer and persist for about 10 days after emergence. BiologyĪ rhizomatous perennial, field horsetail produces fertile non-photosynthetic spore bearing stems in March-April followed by green vegetative stems in late-spring. palustre), a weed of wet, low-lying grassland, is also poisonous to livestock. The plant is toxic to sheep, cattle and horses being poisonous in both the green state and dried in hay. Extracts of field horsetail make an effective fungicide and have been used to treat blackspot on roses and rust in mint. The accumulation of silica deposits in the stems gives them a rough, abrasive texture. Horsetail has the ability to accumulate gold in its tissues as well as cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. It grows strongly on arable and grassland but is a particular problem in fruit and other perennial crops, and in nursery stock. Bottle-brush, horse pipes, mare Latin namesįield horsetail is widely distributed in the UK in meadows, gardens and on wasteland.
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