Equisetum palustre
Marsh horsetail
Equisetum palustre, commonly known as marsh horsetail, is a perennial aquatic plant found in wetlands globally. Characterized by its segmented, non-flowering stems, it holds significant ethnobotanical value. Traditionally used in various cultures for its diuretic and astringent properties, modern research explores its complex bioactive compounds for therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Equisetum palustre
- Family: Equisetaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Equisetidae and order Equisetales, it is a member of the family Equisetaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Equisetum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Equisetidae | WCVP |
| Order | Equisetales | WCVP |
| Family | Equisetaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Equisetum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Equisetum palustre, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Poland, it is called Skrzyp błotny, while in Russia, it is referred to as хвощ болотный. French speakers call it Prêle des marais, and in Serbia, it is known as жабљи раствавић, and finally, in the Frisian language, it is identified as Küduad.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Skrzyp błotny | Wikidata |
| ru | хвощ болотный | Wikidata |
| fr | Prêle des marais | Wikidata |
| sr | жабљи раставић | Wikidata |
| frr | Küduad | Wikidata |
| hu | mocsári zsurló | Wikidata |
| fi | suokorte | Wikidata |
| lv | Purva kosa | Wikidata |
| de | Sumpf-Schachtelhalm | Wikidata |
| cs | přeslička bahenní | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its presence is also noted in the island territories of Føroyar and Iceland. Furthermore, the species is widely documented across Great Britain. Together, these locations highlight the plant's preference for northern maritime and continental environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as marsh horsetail, is categorized under the group of herbs, characterized by its non-woody and relatively soft stems. The herb consists of specialized aerial stems that are segmented and jointed, often displaying a hollow structure typical of the Equisetum genus. These herbaceous stems function as the primary photosynthetic organs and are responsible for the plant's distinctive, ribbed appearance as they grow through wetland environments.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| herbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Equisetum palustre has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |