Mare’s Tail (Equisetum arvense)
Equisetum arvense is a hardy perennial which dies down over winter. It’s an ancient plant, examples of which can be found fossilised into coal. It grows in damp, acidic soil. In spring, the plant sends up leafless heads of spores that look a little like asparagus shoots. The spores mean the plant can reproduce in the same way as ferns and moss. These are followed by stems bearing thin, needle-like leaves.
Mare’s tail grows from rhizomes that look like brown string and will be deep below the soil surface. New plants could easily be propagated from sections of rhizome, but I wouldn’t recommend introducing it into the garden. It’s extremely difficult to contain the spread of this plant or to eradicate it if it’s growing where it’s not wanted. Fortunately, for those wishing to use it, it grows wild in many places and has invaded gardens, so a source shouldn’t be too difficult to find. If a friend or neighbour has it growing, they’ll most likely be very happy for you to take some, thus reducing its vigour and invasive tendencies — a little!
To use the herb medicinally, gather the spore ‘bottle-brushes’ in spring. It’s best used fresh as a decoction. To make this, soak two handfuls of herb in a pint of water for a couple of hours. Bring to the boil, simmer for quarter of an hour then leave to cool. The strained liquid can be kept in the fridge for a few days. It is said…
