Status: Native
Synonyms:
Equisetum hyemale Linnaeus var. affine (Engelmann) A.A. Eaton
Equisetum robustum A. Braun
Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine has leaf sheaths with 2 dark bands and a sharply pointed apex to its cone. The spores are green and spherical, and are borne in sporangia in a ring around the central support of the umbrella shaped structure called a "sporophyll". The spores bear spring-like straps called "elaters" that impart to the spore the ability to jump or move about. The silica laden upright aerial stem is green, hollow, ridged, and jointed.
Large groves of Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine can grow alongside creeks and streams at middle and upper elevation.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, photo Russ Kleinman & Sean White, Mogollon Mtns., South Whitewater Creek, Oct. 27, 2007
Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, detail of cone & sheath tip with two dark bands, photo Russ Kleinman & Sean White, Mogollon Mtns., South Whitewater Creek, Oct. 27, 2007
Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, micro of cone, photo Russ Kleinman & Sean White, Mogollon Mtns., South Whitewater Creek, Oct. 27, 2007
Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, longitudinal section of cone, photo Russ Kleinman & Sean White, Mogollon Mtns., South Whitewater Creek, Oct. 27, 2007
Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, hi power section of cone, photo Russ Kleinman & Sean White, Mogollon Mtns., South Whitewater Creek, Oct. 27, 2007
Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, cross section of hollow stem, photo Russ Kleinman & Sean White, Mogollon Mtns., South Whitewater Creek, Oct. 27, 2007
Equisetum hyemale subsp. affine, micro of peltate sporophylls with round green spores bearing elaters, photo Russ Kleinman & Sean White, Mogollon Mtns., South Whitewater Creek, Oct. 27, 2007
Back to the Index