Field Horsetail?

[Lancashire Lad]

Found this week growing in grassy area of very sandy soil amongst Gorse & scrub. (On coastal headland above low cliffs - Heysham Lancashire).



I'm thinking it has to be Field Horsetail - Equisitum arvense as the nodal scale leaves only number about a dozen. (I'd have expected 20+ if it were Greater Horsetail).

It's just that these do seem to be fairly robust in comparison with usual finds of Field Horsetail in more usual habitat.

Any thoughts, confirmation or other ID suggestions much appreciated.

Regards,
Mike.

[King Edward]

Looks like ordinary Equisitum arvense to me. How tall are the stems? Stace says about 20 cm, up to 30 cm.

[Lancashire Lad]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

They were about 20cm tall, so well within the range for E.arvense.

I just thought they looked a little more robust than I'd prevously seen - diameter wise, I was thinking somewhere between E.arvense and E.telmateia. - but the features said E.arvense.

It's been a couple of years since I really took any notice of these, so I probably "haven't yet got my eye in".

Regards,
Mike.

[diggleken]

Hi Mike,
I think they are E. arvense too - blunt cone and dark teeth and number point to it.
Sylvaticum is browner teeth I think and telmateia finer and number more than yours, as you say.
Cheers
Ken

[Lancashire Lad]

Cheers Ken,

I thought it must be, but you start doubting yourself, and then convince yourself that it's just "not right".

Regards,
Mike.

[Steve D]

I got lots of field horsetail's just like the picture above growing in with my roses (in Norfolk) please is there anything I can do to get rid of them all ?

[Hedera]

Very doubtful! I've been trying in my garden for over thirty years. Just keep pulling them off or hoe off as they come up and weaken the growth. Haven't found any weedkiller that works permanently. Diggging out is hopeless as the roots go on for ever.

[Steve D]

Hedera, thank you for help

[Steve D]

Hedera, thank you for your help