Key identifying traits
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Plants grows erect 1-2’ tall
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It has a cone bearing stem which
pops up in early spring and is a tan to brown color growing
6-12” tall with a cone on the top
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Plants have whorls of slender
green jointed branches
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Plants have spreading
underground rhizomes that produce many shoots and tubers
Biology and ecology
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A perennial plant spreading by
spores and rhizomatous roots
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Scouring rush is a native of the
U.S.
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It is considered toxic to
livestock especially horses but is usually not eaten by animals
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The plant contains several
chemicals which can be used medicinally
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Usually thought of as a wetland
plant but we have noticed it growing in drier areas as well
Control
Prevention –
Learn to identify plants; start monitoring early in the season
Biological –
No known biological control in our area
Cultural –
Plant competitive grass or other cover crops
Mechanical –
Cultivation does not work as it will grow from the root fragments
and rhizomes
Chemical – refer to the
PNW Weed Management handbook which lists Telar and MCPA as well
as a few other herbicides for the control of field horsetail |
