Species library · Plants & herbs

Rough Horsetail: poisonous

Equisetum hyemale

☠ Poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Rough Horsetail is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Waterside, Wetland.

☠ Poisonous
Rough Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)

Photo: Ryan Hodnett · CC BY-SA 4.0

When Rough Horsetail appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Rough Horsetail is usually found in Waterside, Wetland.

Look up Rough Horsetail in the app

In the Forage app, Rough Horsetail has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Rough Horsetail: common questions

Is Rough Horsetail poisonous?

Yes. Rough Horsetail is classed as poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Rough Horsetail appear?

Rough Horsetail usually appears from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Rough Horsetail grow?

Rough Horsetail is usually found in Waterside, Wetland.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits