Horsetails of Berrien County, Michigan

The horsetails of the Class Equisetopsida are the oldest living members of the plant kingdom, dating back some 300-350 million years to the Carboniferous period. According to the Online Atlas of Michigan Plants, 5 species of horsetails are found in Berrien County, representing a single order, a single family, and a single genus:

ORDER EQUISETALES (Horsetails)

Family Equisetaceae (Horsetails):

Equisetum arvense, Field Horsetail

Equisetum fluviatile, Water Horesetail

Equisetum hyemale, Scouring-rush Horsetail

Equisetum palustre, Marsh Horsetail

Equisetum variegatum, Variegated Horsetail