It differs from all other species of horsetail because the branches are themselves branched. The teeth of its sheaths are united into a few lobes, less than the number of grooves on the stem.

Equisetum arvense can also show some branching of the branches.

It is rare and declining in VC55, and therefore a specimen should not be taken.  Take detailed field photos and submit to NatureSpot as soon as possible; and if you think you have found it in a new location, inform the County Recorder as soon you can (RPR).

Generally grows on deep, mildly acidic, often peaty soils that are kept permanently damp by flushing.

The spores are produced in cones during April and May.

A perennial, colony-forming herb.

Its distribution has a strong northern and western bias in Britain and has declined in other areas.

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland, and decreasing.

In the Flora of Leicestershire (Primavesi and Evans 1988) it was found in 6 of the 617 tetrads, but was not present in the Flora of Rutland (Messenger 1971).

It is listed on the current VC55 Rare Plant Register (Hall and Woodward 2022) as Locally Rare (i.e. present in less than 3 sites)