1028 



THE EQUISETUM FAMILY. 



4. Shady Equisetum. Equisetum pratense, Ehrh. 

 (Fig. 1252.) 



(E. Drummondi, Eng. Bot. Suppl. t. 2777. E. umbrosum, Brit. El.) 



Allied to the wood E. in stature and 

 mode of growth ; the fruiting stems at 

 first simple, producing whorls of branches 

 after the spike is developed ; but the 

 branches of both fruiting and barren 

 stems are always simple, and the spike 

 is larger. The fruiting stems at first 

 resemble those of the field E., but are 

 much more slender. The sheaths have 

 seldom less than 14, and usually about 

 20 striae, and long, subulate teeth. 



In moist woods, and shady places, 

 generally distributed over the range of 

 the wood E., in Europe, Asia, and North 

 America, but probably nowhere so com- 

 mon. Has been found in various parts 

 of Scotland, northern and central Eng- 

 land, and northern Ireland. Er. late in 

 spring and summer. 

 Fig. 1252. 



Fig. 1253. 



5. Smooth Equisetum. Equisetum 

 limosum 9 Linn. 



(Fig. 1253.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 929.) 



Stems mostly fruiting, 1 to 2 feet high 

 or more, all, including the barren ones, 

 simple, or with few short, simple branches 

 at the middle or upper nodes ; the striae 

 usually about 12 to 20, not prominent. 

 Sheaths about 3 or 4 lines long, with 

 shortly subulate or pointed teeth. Spike 

 about 6 to 9 lines long, obtuse. 



In marshy places, wet ditches, or 

 shallow waters, throughout Europe and 

 Eussian Asia, from the Mediterranean 

 to the Arctic regions. Common in Bri- 

 tain. Er. summer. 



