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Standard English Name(s):
common or field horsetail
Local English Name(s) (if different from above): horsetail
Scientific Name(s): Equisetum arvense L.
Upriver Halkomelem Name(s): xhum’xhum’ (E. arvense and E. telmateia,
giant horsetail)
Downriver Halkomelem Name(s): xhum’xhum’ (fertile stem of E.
telmateia), xwqwul’u (E. ?arvense or possibly E. hyemale, scouring-rush)
Island Halkomelem Name(s): xhum’xhum’
Description, Habitat,
Ecology, & Distribution:
Horsetails are primitive plants that are
closely related to ferns, despite their quite different overall appearance.
The common horsetail is extremely widespread and often occurs in populated
areas as a garden weed throughout the coast. This plant produces bushy-looking,
branched stems that are green and separate brownish, unbranched stems
that bear the reproductive spores.
Upriver Halkomelem Cultural
Role(s):
This species and giant horsetail (E. telmateia)
were used as food, the young shoots and cones being the parts that were
eaten.
Downriver Halkomelem
Cultural Role(s):
Island Halkomelem Cultural Role(s):
CAUTION: This species
may be harmful. It produces toxic or otherwise harmful substances. The
young shoots of some species of horsetails are considered to be edible.
However, they should not be eaten in quantity.