Wild Flowers Provence

Identify wild flowers, trees, shrubs, orchids and other plants in Provence, France.

Environ 2800 photos de près de 700 plantes sauvages.  Comment le voir en français.
Around 2800 photos of nearly 700 wild plants: guide.

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Equisetum arvense

Prêle des champs
Common Horsetail

Category:

Additional information

Plant family

Area

Provence Verte

Flower colour

green

Leaf type

Scales

Height

10-90 cm

Description

Horsetail dates back 290 – 354 million years. In spring, fertile, cone-like structures appear; after fertilisation they wither and the green feathery stems emerge. A horsetail stem is made up of segments, between which are whorls of 6-19 branches.

From the Middle Ages till the 18th century it was used for scouring pots and pans, especially pewter.

It is rich in silicon, potassium and calcium. A home-made liquid fertiliser, to make a plant more resistant to illnesses, can be made by steeping the branches in water for 3 weeks, then diluting 1 part of the liquid to 10 parts water.

Leaves

Scales leaves resemble green scales e.g. Cupressus, Juniperus. Reduced to brownish, papery, serrated sheaths around the node.

Fruits Seeds

Strobilus: a cone-like structure, 1- 4 cm long.

Medical

Stems: dried ‘sterile’ stems used to treat genito-urinary problems, controls both internal and external bleeding.

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