Native Plants

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Thursday - May 03, 2012

From: Louisa, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Plant Identification, Ferns
Title: Plant identification from Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We found lots of asparagus like stalks growing randomly in our field here in central Virginia. But, instead of an asparagus head it has a tight cluster of leaves that are small and roundish. Any ideas? Thanks so much

ANSWER:

This was a puzzler until I talked with a friend who suggested the leaves are small and roundish in cross section. If that is the case, I think I have an answer for you. I think it is one of the species of Equisetum, a relative of ferns, that occurs in Virginia. There are three species that might fit your description:

Equisetum arvense (Field horsetail). Here are more photos from USDA Plants Database, more information and photos from University of Wisconsin Cofrin Center for Biodiversity and more photos and information from Oregon State University.
Equisetum sylvaticum (Woodland horsetail). Here are photos and more information from Central Yukon Species Inventory Project and from the University of Wisconsin Robert W. Freckman Herbarium.
Equisetum fluviatile (Water horsetail). Here are photos and more information from Central Yukon Species Inventory Project, photos and more information from University of Wisconsin Cofrin Center for Biodiversity and from the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minnesota.

If this isn't the plant you have seen and you do have photos of it, please visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos for identification.

From the Image Gallery

Field horsetail
Equisetum arvense

Woodland horsetail
Equisetum sylvaticum