Equisetum californicum
| Equisetum californicum Temporal range: Callovian [1] to Recent | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Order: | Equisetales |
| Family: | Equisetaceae |
| Genus: | Equisetum |
| Species: | E. californicum |
| Binomial name | |
| Equisetum californicum (Milde) G.N.Jones[2] | |
Equisetum californicum is a species of perennial plant in the genus Equisetum. It is commonly referred to as horse tail, bottlebrush or snake grass.[3]
Description
Equisetum californicum is a "living fossil" because it is one of the few living species of the entire class Equisetopsida. Equisetum californicum is a perennial plant with a yellowish fruiting stem growing to approximately 14 inches. The fruit grows from a sterile segmented and tooth stem growing to approximately 2 feet in height. Equisetum californiucm has whorls of needle-shaped leaves.[2]
Etymology
The name "horsetail", which is often used for the entire group, is used because the branched species somewhat resemble a horse's tail. Similarly, the scientific name Equisetum derives from the Latin equus ("horse") + seta ("bristle").[2]
Habitat & Constituents
Equisetum californicum is native to the United States, specifically California. It is a common plants in the western part of the United States, and prefers to grow in a damp soil. The peak growing season for Equistem californicum is during the summer months.[2] They are perennial plants, so they are found to be dying back during the winter time. The stalks arise from rhizomes that are found deep down in the soil. The Equisetum californicum can be a nuisance weed, readily regrowing from the rhizome after being pulled out.[2] It is also unaffected by many herbicides used to kill seed plants. However, as E. californicum prefers an acid soil, it may be used to assist in eradication efforts to bring the soil pH to 7 or 8.[2]
Medicinal uses
Extracts and other preparations of E. californicum have served as herbal remedies, its reported uses include treatments to stop bleeding, treat tuberculosis, to heal wounds and ulcerations, and to treat kidney ailments.[2] In modern times, it is typically used as an infusion. Reliable modern alternative medicine sources include cautions with regard to its use. E. californicum has a large effect on the genitourinary system, proving to be especially valuable when there is bleeding within the urinary tract, cases of cystitis, urethritis, and prostate disease.[2] The herb can also be subscribed to treat rheumatic and arthritic problems.
Chemical Constituents
Equisetum californicum contains large amounts of silicic acid and silicates, flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, and sterols. Much of the therapeutic effectiveness of this herb is due to its high level of silica content, a large proportion of which is soluble and can be absorbed. Silica is also used in the medical field as an agent that supports the regeneration of connective tissues.[2]
Cautions
Do not use E. californicum for more than 6 weeks except under professional care since the herb may cause irritation of the digestive tract. Do not confuse E. californicum with E. arvense, a similar but much larger plant that contains toxic alkaloids.[2]
History & Folklore
E. californicum and other species of Equisetum are thought to be descendants of a huge tree that lived in the Paleozoic era (600-375 million years ago).[2] The herbs high silica content makes it abrasive, and in the past it has been used to polish metals and woods.[2] Its common name, bottlebrush,[3] indicates another of its uses. E. californicum has also been used on livestock, Native Americans used to tie it to the tails of livestock to help them ward off flies. It has long been considered a wound healing herb.[2]
Axis scale: millions of years ago.
References
- 1 2 "Equisetum thermale sp. nov. (Equisetales) from the Jurassic San Agustín hot spring deposit, Patagonia: anatomy, paleoecology, and inferred paleoecophysiology". American Journal of Botany 98 (4): 680–97. April 2011. doi:10.3732/ajb.1000211. PMID 21613167.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Chevalier, A. The encyclopedia of medicinal plants. New York: DK Pub. pp. 202–203.
- 1 2 Hassler, Swale, Michael, Brian. "Family Equisetaceae, genus Equisetum; world species list.". Caverock.