Species PlantsGiant Horsetail

Giant Horsetail

Equisetum telmateia

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia)

Giant Horsetail is a tall, reed-like plant with large, hollow stems. It is one of the largest horsetail species and is often found in moist, nutrient-rich soils.

Habitat
Grows in wet meadows, ditches, and along stream banks.
Diet
Provides habitat and cover for small animals and insects.
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Giant Horsetail

The best time to see a Giant Horsetail is March–June, when about 68% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 19,669 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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

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

Recent Giant Horsetail sightings near you

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

Spot a Giant Horsetail? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Giant Horsetail is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love plants? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More plants

Giant Ragweed
Giant Ragweed
Ambrosia trifida
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
Giant Red Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja miniata
Giant Sequoia
Giant Sequoia
Sequoiadendron giganteum
Glory of Texas
Glory of Texas
Thelocactus bicolor
Goat's Rue
Goat's Rue
Tephrosia virginiana
Golden Alexanders
Golden Alexanders
Zizia aurea
Golden Canna
Golden Canna
Canna flaccida
Golden Chinkapin
Golden Chinkapin
Chrysolepis chrysophylla