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



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