Swamp Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile)

Family: Equisetaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Equisetum species - horsetail family are Creeping, perenial, Branching rootstocks, rooted at the nodes. The Arial stems may be annual or Perennial, are cylindrical, fluted, simple or with whorled branches at the jointed nodes. The internodes are usually hollow. The Surfaces of the stems are covered with Silica. The Cones are terminal.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Strobil (the fertile shoots in spring) - cooked. Used as an asparagus substitute, though it is neither palatable nor nutritious. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Roots - cooked. The roots contain a nutritious starch. — Strobil (the fertile shoots in spring) - cooked.; Used as an asparagus substitute, though it is neither palatable nor nutritious.; Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.; The roots contain a nutritious starch.

Habitat & North American Range

Shallow water in lakes, ponds and ditches. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)