Monday 26 October 2015

Equisetum arvense (Mare's Tail)

LOCATION: Manchester University Museum

Mare's Tail is a member of the Equisetaceae family; the sole survivor of a line of plants going back three hundred million years. It is a herbaceous perennial plant which is also considered to be invasive because of its deep roots and its speed of spreading. Often it needs a chemical treatment to fully get rid of all the roots. The plant is easily recognised by its upright, fir tree-like shoots that appear in summer. It grows from 10-50cm high.

This species was found growing in a cluster of plants coming out through the fence under the Museum of Manchester building. The plant did not look to be in a good health as it has quite a few shoots dried out. The soil was hard to examine as it was covered by dense leaves.

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