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Equisetum telmateia Giant horsetail (1 Page of 5) The Equisetum telmateia plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Equisetaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Giant horsetail. Some home gardeners know the variety as E. maximum. auct. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Equisetum telmateia Common Name: Giant horsetail Family: Equisetaceae Author: Ehrh. Known Hazards: Large quantities of the plant can be toxic. This is because it contains the enzyme thiaminase[172], a substance that can rob the body of the vitamin B complex[65]. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[172].
The plant also contains equisetic acid - see the notes on medicinal uses for more information[213]. Mature Height: 2 Mature Width: Habitat: Damp shady banks etc, to 350 metres[17].
Edible Uses: Strobil (the fertile shoots in spring) - raw or cooked[256]. The tough outer fibres are peeled off, or can be chewed and then discarded[256].
The vegetative shoots, produced from late spring onwards, were occasionally cleaned of their leaves, sheathing and branches and then eaten by native North American Indians, but only when very young and tightly compacted[256].
Root - cooked[257].
For further Equisetum telmateia gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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