Swamp horsetail, Joint grass, Scrub grass
Equisetum fluviatile
Family: Equisetaceae
What it is like
A large herb. It has creeping rhizomes. They are hollow in the centre. It grows 40-60 cm tall.
There are about 25 Equisetum species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows along river valleys and on the edge of streams. In north China it grows between 500-3,000 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Asia, Britain, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mongolia, North America, Russia
How it is used for food
CAUTION: The starch from the root tubers is eaten. The young tips are boiled and fried and eaten.
Edible parts
Root, stem, shoots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Water horsetail