Equisetum hyemale L.
Rough Horsetail
Prêle d’hiver
Winter-Schachtelhalm
Wanter-Kazeschwanz, Poléierstréi
Class: Polypodiopsida
Family: Equisetaceae
Status
LC – least concern
Further information
Besides the native Equisetum hyemale subsp. hyemale, we sometimes observe another, more robust subspecies, used in horticulture and often sold under the label ‘Equisetum japonicum‘. This popular horsetail is Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine (a taxon long considered to be exclusively American, but also occurring in China, Japan …). The attractive subspecies affine (often recommended as a perfect addition to any meditation garden in moist places) can however spread vigorously and escape from cultivation; cases of naturalisation are already known in neighbouring countries.
More information about the horsetails in Luxembourg can be found in: Krippel, Y., 2023. Les prêles (Equisetaceae) au Luxembourg – notes chorologiques et liste rouge. Bulletin de la Société des naturalistes luxembourgeois 125 : 3-16. https://doi.org/10.59513/snl.2023.125.003
Suggested citation of this webpage
Krippel, Y., 2026. Equisetum hyemale L. In: Online atlas of the pteridophytes of Luxembourg. URL: https://pteridophytes.lu/equisetum-hyemale/ [accessed 2026-03-13].