Equisetum sp - horsetail

Horsetail
Equisetum sp.
Family: EQUISETACEAE

Equisetum is the only surviving genus of the ancient family of spore-producing plants EQUISETACEAE. This ancient and diverse family dominated the understory of late Paleozoic forests for over one hundred million years. This unbranched species is commonly called scouring-rush, referring to its rush-like appearance and to the abrasive silicate coated stem, making it useful for scrubbing metal items.