Resembling very young bamboo slightly, growing as reeds do, Horsetail stems are spreading, branching, joined, and black-tinged, the leaves are tiny and brown tinged, joined to form sheaths. Propagation is by spores produced in sacs in the strobilus (cone-shaped crown of stems.) Spores become airborne gametophytes, germinating into archegonia (egg) or antheridia (sperm). These two meet in water and reproduction begins.
Horsetail is considered to be the highest single-plant source of naturally occurring silica. Silica and oxygen are the most prevalent elements on the surface of Earth. The abrasive quality of its silica-rich texture provides a good polishing agent for use on wood and metal surfaces, resulting in the common name of pewterwort.
