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Horsetail.
I saw a remarkable patch at the roadside last year, with very large
stems - probably around 2' (600mm) long. Are there several sorts of horse tail, or was this just ordinary stuff doing rather better than the 1' stems I normally see? I'm keeping an eye on it to see what happens this year, and it certainly seems to be doing well again! |
In article , Chris Bacon
writes I saw a remarkable patch at the roadside last year, with very large stems - probably around 2' (600mm) long. Are there several sorts of horse tail, or was this just ordinary stuff doing rather better than the 1' stems I normally see? I'm keeping an eye on it to see what happens this year, and it certainly seems to be doing well again! There's several species of horsetail which grow in the UK. But it might still just have been some more vigorous stems of the usual stuff. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
The message
from Kay contains these words: In article , Chris Bacon writes I saw a remarkable patch at the roadside last year, with very large stems - probably around 2' (600mm) long. Are there several sorts of horse tail, or was this just ordinary stuff doing rather better than the 1' stems I normally see? I'm keeping an eye on it to see what happens this year, and it certainly seems to be doing well again! There's several species of horsetail which grow in the UK. But it might still just have been some more vigorous stems of the usual stuff. Horsetails have only one use that I know of - in an area where there are gold salts in the soil, they will take them up, and if you burn large quantities of them, the gold can be worth recovering. -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
Jaques d'Alltrades wrote:
:: The message :: from Kay contains these words: ::: In article , Chris Bacon ::: writes :: :::: I saw a remarkable patch at the roadside last year, with very :::: large stems - probably around 2' (600mm) long. Are there several :::: sorts of horse tail, or was this just ordinary stuff doing :::: rather better than the 1' stems I normally see? I'm keeping an :::: eye on it to see what happens this year, and it certainly seems :::: to be doing well again! :: :: ::: There's several species of horsetail which grow in the UK. But it ::: might still just have been some more vigorous stems of the usual ::: stuff. :: :: Horsetails have only one use that I know of - in an area where :: there are gold salts in the soil, they will take them up, and if :: you burn large quantities of them, the gold can be worth :: recovering. :: That's not their only use, they are anodyne, antihaemorrhagic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic and vulnerary. It helps speed the repair of damaged connective tissue, improving its strength and elasticity. The plant is a useful diuretic when taken internally and is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder problems, cystitis, urethritis, prostate disease and internal bleeding. The stems contain 10% silica and are used for scouring metal and as a fine sandpaper. They can also be used as a polish for brass, hardwood etc. The infused stem is an effective fungicide against mildew, mint rust and blackspot on roses. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant. It is used in the treatment of cystitis and other complaints of the urinary system, it also contains equisetic acid, which is thought to be identical to aconitic acid. This substance is a potent heart and nerve sedative that is a dangerous poison when taken in high doses. Other than that it's pretty useless. :-p -- If God had intended us to drink beer, He would have given us stomachs. |
The message
from "Phil L" contains these words: Other than that it's pretty useless. :-p Hmmm. Must cultivate a patch... -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
not horsetail wild asparagus! sounds better.
"Chris Bacon" wrote in message ... I saw a remarkable patch at the roadside last year, with very large stems - probably around 2' (600mm) long. Are there several sorts of horse tail, or was this just ordinary stuff doing rather better than the 1' stems I normally see? I'm keeping an eye on it to see what happens this year, and it certainly seems to be doing well again! -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 408 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now! |
We've had many communications on horsetail, particularly because it is
impossible to eliminate. It must be sensitive to growing conditions/competition from other plants otherwise it would take over the country. Can anyone put any definition as to its preferences or vulnerabilities? "roger.ty" wrote in message k... not horsetail wild asparagus! sounds better. "Chris Bacon" wrote in message ... I saw a remarkable patch at the roadside last year, with very large stems - probably around 2' (600mm) long. Are there several sorts of horse tail, or was this just ordinary stuff doing rather better than the 1' stems I normally see? I'm keeping an eye on it to see what happens this year, and it certainly seems to be doing well again! -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 408 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now! |
In article ,
david taylor wrote: We've had many communications on horsetail, particularly because it is impossible to eliminate. It must be sensitive to growing conditions/competition from other plants otherwise it would take over the country. Can anyone put any definition as to its preferences or vulnerabilities? "It"? There are a fair number of species native to the UK. Generally, damp soils where they can get their roots down, but the common horsetail is pretty widespread. I don't know why it only rarely becomes an invasive plant. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
Phil L wrote:
Jaques d'Alltrades wrote: The message from Kay contains these words: In article , Chris Bacon writes I saw a remarkable patch at the roadside last year, with very large stems - probably around 2' (600mm) long. Are there several sorts of horse tail, or was this just ordinary stuff doing rather better than the 1' stems I normally see? I'm keeping an eye on it to see what happens this year, and it certainly seems to be doing well again! There's several species of horsetail which grow in the UK. But it might still just have been some more vigorous stems of the usual stuff. Horsetails have only one use that I know of - in an area where there are gold salts in the soil, they will take them up, and if you burn large quantities of them, the gold can be worth recovering. That's not their only use, they are anodyne, antihaemorrhagic, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic and vulnerary. It helps speed the repair of damaged connective tissue, improving its strength and elasticity. The plant is a useful diuretic when taken internally and is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder problems, cystitis, urethritis, prostate disease and internal bleeding. The stems contain 10% silica and are used for scouring metal and as a fine sandpaper. They can also be used as a polish for brass, hardwood etc. The infused stem is an effective fungicide against mildew, mint rust and blackspot on roses. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant. It is used in the treatment of cystitis and other complaints of the urinary system, it also contains equisetic acid, which is thought to be identical to aconitic acid. This substance is a potent heart and nerve sedative that is a dangerous poison when taken in high doses. Other than that it's pretty useless. :-p I used to boil it up, strain and bottle and use as a final rince on my hair. It strengthens and adds a really nice shine to it. -- purebred poultry www.geocities.com/fenlandfowl |
"Nick Maclaren" wrote .after.. david taylor wrote: We've had many communications on horsetail, particularly because it is impossible to eliminate. It must be sensitive to growing conditions/competition from other plants otherwise it would take over the country. Can anyone put any definition as to its preferences or vulnerabilities? "It"? There are a fair number of species native to the UK. Generally, damp soils where they can get their roots down, but the common horsetail is pretty widespread. I don't know why it only rarely becomes an invasive plant. On our old allotment site it moved across in a wave, very thick at the front and after it passed we are left with just a few which hoe off easily reducing them even more. I've seen the same thing on our local railway line, a very prolific wave front moving slowly along and then just a few left behind, and I wonder if they will eventually die out until the next infestation. -- Regards Bob In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London |
Bob Hobden wrote:
"Nick Maclaren" wrote .after.. david taylor wrote: We've had many communications on horsetail, particularly because it is impossible to eliminate. It must be sensitive to growing conditions/competition from other plants otherwise it would take over the country. Can anyone put any definition as to its preferences or vulnerabilities? "It"? There are a fair number of species native to the UK. Generally, damp soils where they can get their roots down, but the common horsetail is pretty widespread. I don't know why it only rarely becomes an invasive plant. On our old allotment site it moved across in a wave, very thick at the front and after it passed we are left with just a few which hoe off easily reducing them even more. I've seen the same thing on our local railway line, a very prolific wave front moving slowly along and then just a few left behind, and I wonder if they will eventually die out until the next infestation. That sounds interesting. I've never had much to do with these plants, and thought they were fixtures like most others. I wonder if they eventually exhaust the soil of some nutrient which isn't quickly replaced by natural processes, and so have to move constantly onward. Could the plants' high silica content in some way have a bearing on this? Or is there some complex mycorrhizal association which can peter out in less than perfect conditions? (A moment of horror on GW the other night, when some proud nurserywoman presented her lovely aquatic horsetail; I hope it can't grow out of water!) -- Mike. |
In article , Mike Lyle mike_lyle_uk@REMO
VETHISyahoo.co.uk writes That sounds interesting. I've never had much to do with these plants, and thought they were fixtures like most others. I wonder if they eventually exhaust the soil of some nutrient which isn't quickly replaced by natural processes, and so have to move constantly onward. Could the plants' high silica content in some way have a bearing on this? Or is there some complex mycorrhizal association which can peter out in less than perfect conditions? They don't seem to tolerate constant removal of top growth - eg regular lawn mowing. -- Kay "Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river" |
"Mike Lyle" wrote in message ... Bob Hobden wrote: "Nick Maclaren" wrote .after.. david taylor wrote: We've had many communications on horsetail, particularly because it is impossible to eliminate. It must be sensitive to growing conditions/competition from other plants otherwise it would take over the country. Can anyone put any definition as to its preferences or vulnerabilities? "It"? There are a fair number of species native to the UK. Generally, damp soils where they can get their roots down, but the common horsetail is pretty widespread. I don't know why it only rarely becomes an invasive plant. On our old allotment site it moved across in a wave, very thick at the front and after it passed we are left with just a few which hoe off easily reducing them even more. I've seen the same thing on our local railway line, a very prolific wave front moving slowly along and then just a few left behind, and I wonder if they will eventually die out until the next infestation. That sounds interesting. I've never had much to do with these plants, and thought they were fixtures like most others. I wonder if they eventually exhaust the soil of some nutrient which isn't quickly replaced by natural processes, and so have to move constantly onward. Could the plants' high silica content in some way have a bearing on this? Or is there some complex mycorrhizal association which can peter out in less than perfect conditions? (A moment of horror on GW the other night, when some proud nurserywoman presented her lovely aquatic horsetail; I hope it can't grow out of water!) Those are harmless and very pretty. The terrestrial/triffid ones are a different species. I get a similar feeling when I see variegated ground elder for sale in nurseries. Apparently it is well behaved and fairly safe but it still looks a bit scary. Des -- Mike. |
"david taylor" wrote in message ... We've had many communications on horsetail, particularly because it is impossible to eliminate. It must be sensitive to growing conditions/competition from other plants otherwise it would take over the country. Can anyone put any definition as to its preferences or vulnerabilities? "roger.ty" wrote in message k... not horsetail wild asparagus! sounds better. "Chris Bacon" wrote in message ... I saw a remarkable patch at the roadside last year, with very large stems - probably around 2' (600mm) long. Are there several sorts of horse tail, or was this just ordinary stuff doing rather better than the 1' stems I normally see? I'm keeping an eye on it to see what happens this year, and it certainly seems to be doing well again! There is a large species called Equisetum talmateia (cannot remember exact spelling) which can grow to a few feet. In Ireland you get it in damp roadside verges and riverbanks. There are about 20 species in these here parts. Des -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 408 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Try www.SPAMfighter.com for free now! |
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