Equisetum myriochaetum

Equisetum myriochaetum
Equisetum myriochaetum at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Subclass: Equisetidae
Order: Equisetales
Family: Equisetaceae
Genus: Equisetum
Subgenus: E. subg. Hippochaete
Species:
E. myriochaetum
Binomial name
Equisetum myriochaetum
Schltdl. and Cham., 1830

Equisetum myriochaetum, also known as Mexican giant horsetail, is a species of horsetail that is native to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Mexico. It is the largest horsetail species, commonly reaching 4.6 metres (15 ft), with the largest recorded specimen having a height of 7.3 metres (24 ft). At each node is a whorl of as many as 32 branchlets. It is semi-aquatic and is often found growing on riverbanks.

The species is harvested for medicinal use. In Mexico, the species is harvested and sold to treat kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. It has traditionally been used as a diuretic.