Field horsetail is often confused with marsh horsetail
Both types of horsetail look very similar. This is why you should be careful when dealing with horsetail. In contrast to field horsetail, marsh horsetail is poisonous and represents a real danger, especially for animals.
also read
- Which horsetail is poisonous?
- The difference between horsetail and marsh horsetail
- Protect roses from fungal attack with horsetail
There are a few differentiators that you can use to tell whether it is marsh horsetail or field horsetail (horsetail):
- Color of the sprouts
- Cones on the top
- Number of tips on the leaf sheaths
- Width of stem
- Width and color of the ears
Field horsetail has brown sprouts on which the spores grow. Green horsetail with cones is the poisonous marsh horsetail. The stems of the field horsetail are wider than three millimeters, while the marsh horsetail has narrower ears that have lateral branches and have a greenish color.
Field horsetail can be used in many ways
Since field horsetail is not poisonous, it can be used both in medicine and for personal hygiene. Leaves and stems can even be cooked.
You can harvest the roots of the field horsetail from September to March and eat them raw or cooked.
However, if you are not entirely sure whether you are looking at non-toxic field horsetail or poisonous marsh horsetail, you better stay away from it.
Tips
Field horsetail is one of the most robust plants that can be found in this country. Horsetail grows easily even on areas that are too salty or that have been treated with weed killer.
