Species › Plants › Water Horsetail

Water Horsetail

Equisetum fluviatile

CommonPlant
Illustration of Water Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile)

Water Horsetail is a semi-aquatic plant with hollow, jointed stems. It is often found in wetlands and is known for its ability to absorb heavy metals from the soil.

Habitat
Thrives in marshes, ponds, and along stream banks.
Diet
Provides habitat and cover for aquatic insects and small animals.
How common
Common

Best time to see a Water Horsetail

The best time to see a Water Horsetail is May–June, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,932 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Water Horsetail? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Water Horsetail sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spotted a Water Horsetail?

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal and know for sure - plus a live map of where it is being spotted near you.

Get Huck - free
5,300+species
63national parks
50states

More plants

Water Hyacinth
Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crassipes
Water Locust
Water Locust
Gleditsia aquatica
Water Oak
Water Oak
Quercus nigra
Water Parsnip
Water Parsnip
Sium suave
Water Plantain
Water Plantain
Alisma plantago-aquatica
Water Sedge
Water Sedge
Carex aquatilis
Water Shield
Water Shield
Brasenia schreberi
Water Smartweed
Water Smartweed
Persicaria amphibia