Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Equisetum laevigatum is a species of horsetail known by the common names smooth scouring rush and smooth horsetail. This plant is native to much of North America except for northern Canada and southern Mexico. It is usually found in moist areas in sandy and gravelly substrates. It may be annual or perennial. It grows narrow green stems sometimes reaching heights exceeding 1.5 meters. The leaves at the nodes are small, scale-like brownish sheaths and there are occasionally small, spindly branches. The stems are topped with rounded cone-shaped sporangia.

Plant type

Fern

Size

3 - 6 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Flowering season

Spring

Special uses

Water features or wet habitats, Deer resistant

Sun

Deep Shade, Partial Shade

Water

High, Moderate

Ease of care

Moderate

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Sunset Zones

1*, 2*, 3*, 4*, 5*, 6*, 7*, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Moist, sandy or gravelly places

Plant communities

Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Valley Grassland, Yellow Pine Forest, Wetland-Riparian

Birds