Horsetails
Family: Equisetaceae
Examples: E. arvense, E. variegatum
Equisetum spp.
Fire effect on plant
Horsetails are top-killed by most fires but deep rhizomes survive.
Key traits
"Horsetails are evergreen, perennial plants that spread underground via rhizomes. These rhizomes can be as deep as 2m undersground (in the field horsetail, E. arvense) and are therefore not killed by even hot fires (Parminter, 1983; Hitchcock et al, 1969). Horsetail species, such as field horsetail, regenerates rapidly after a fire (Kovalchik et al, 1988). It may also colonize disturbed areas or new sites by wind-disseminated propagules (although this is secondary to resprouting surviving plants; Bradley et al, 1992).
Plant response to fire
Horsetail abundance is usually unchanged or increased after fire (Hamilton, 2006).
Timing of history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Spores produced March to April.
Conservation Status
Protected - Equisetum ramosissinum.
References
Horsetails
Equisetum spp.
Family: Equisetaceae
Examples: E. arvense, E. variegatum
Plant response to fire
Horsetails are top-killed by most fires but deep rhizomes survive.
Key traits
"Horsetails are evergreen, perennial plants that spread underground via rhizomes. These rhizomes can be as deep as 2m undersground (in the field horsetail, E. arvense) and are therefore not killed by even hot fires (Parminter, 1983; Hitchcock et al, 1969). Horsetail species, such as field horsetail, regenerates rapidly after a fire (Kovalchik et al, 1988). It may also colonize disturbed areas or new sites by wind-disseminated propagules (although this is secondary to resprouting surviving plants; Bradley et al, 1992).
Plant response to fire
Horsetail abundance is usually unchanged or increased after fire (Hamilton, 2006).
Timing of history
Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Spores produced March to April.
Conservation Status
Protected - Equisetum ramosissinum.
References
Bradley, Anne F.; Noste, Nonan V.; Fischer, William C. 1992. Fire ecology of forests and woodlands in Utah. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-287. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 128 p. [Empirical evidence; grey literature]
Hamilton, E.H. 2006. Vegetation development and fire effects at the Walker Creek site: comparison of forest floor and mineral soil plots. B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Tech. Rep. 026. [Empirical evidence; grey literature]
Hitchcock, L. O., Cronquist, A., Ownbey, M., and J. W. Thompson. 1969. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 1: Vascular Cryptograms, Gymnosperms, and Monocotyledons. University of Washington Press. Seattle, WA. [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Kovalchik, Bernard L.; Hopkins, William E.; Brunsfeld, Steven J. 1988. Major indicator shrubs and herbs in riparian zones on National Forests of central Oregon. R6-ECOL-TP-005-88. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 159 p [Empirical evidence; grey literature]
Parminter, John. 1983. Fire-ecological relationships for the biogeoclimatic zones and subzones of the Fort Nelson Timber Supply Area: summary report. In: Northern Fire Ecology Project: Fort Nelson Timber Supply Area. Victoria, BC: Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Forests. 53 p. [Empirical evidence; grey literature]
Sullivan, Janet. 1993. Equisetum arvense. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station,
Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/fern/equarv/all.html [2024, January 22]. [Empirical evidence; grey literature]