The key difference between horsetail and marestail is that horsetail is a non-flowering plant which is a perennial while marestail is a flowering plant which is an annual.
Horsetail and marestail are two types of weeds. Horsetail is a perennial plant, and it is not a flowering plant. In contrast, marestail is an annual plant and a flowering plant. Moreover, marestail is the first plant that developed resistance against glyphosate. The current article discusses the difference between horsetail and marestail.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Horsetail
3. What is Marestail
4. Similarities Between Horsetail and Marestail
5. Side by Side Comparison – Horsetail vs Marestail in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Horsetail?
Horsetail, scientifically belonging to the genus of Equisetum, is a deep-rooted and fast-growing plant. In fact, horsetail is a non-flowering weed that is difficult to eradicate. Moreover, horsetail is a perennial plant which is a close relative of ferns. Also, horsetail is native throughout the arctic and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. This plant has hollow stems and shoots, which gives it an appearance similar to asparagus. It also has a rhizomatous stem system underground. Moreover, the horsetail plant contains silicon. Died horsetail plants give a scratching effect due to the silica crystals formed in the stems and branches.
Figure 01: Horsetail
Besides, the aboveground parts of the horsetail plant show medicinal utility. It has a value as a diuretic and a herbal remedy to stop bleeding, heal ulcers and wounds, and treat tuberculosis. Moreover, horsetail is a treatment for osteoporosis, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, etc. Furthermore, some cosmetics and shampoos contain horsetail extracts.
What is Marestail?
Marestail or horseweed is an annual plant and a noxious weed resistant to glyphosate and other herbicides. The scientific name of marestail is Conyza Canadensis. It prefers to grow in dry and disturbed lands.
Figure 02: Marestail
Moreover, marestail is a flowering plant. Its flowers contain a ring of white or pale purple ray florets and a centre of yellow disc florets, and they are present in inflorescences. Marestail produces seeds that can be dispersed long distances by wind.
What are the Similarities Between Horsetail and Marestail?
- Horsetail and marestail are two noxious weeds.
- They are herbaceous plants.
What is the Difference Between Horsetail and Marestail?
Horsetail is a nonflowering weed and a perennial plant. In contrast, marestail is a flowering plant and an annual plant. So, this is the key difference between horsetail and marestail. Moreover, horsetail contains silicon while marestail does not. Besides, horsetails grow in moist, rich soils whereas marestail prefers to grow in dry, disturbed land. Another difference between horsetail and marestail is the resistance against glyphosate. Horsetail is not resistant to glyphosate while marestail is glyphosate-resistant. Furthermore, horsetail is native throughout the arctic and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere while marestail is native throughout most of North America and Central America.
The below infographic summarizes the difference between horsetail and marestail.
Summary – Horsetail vs Marestail
Horsetail and marestail are weeds. Horsetail is a non-flowering weed while marestail is a flowering weed. Furthermore, horsetail is a perennial plant, while marestail is an annual plant. Moreover, marestail is resistant to glyphosate and other herbicides, while horsetail can be controlled by glyphosate. Horsetail has medicinal value and it contains silicon, unlike marestail. Thus, this summarizes the difference between horsetail and marestail.
Reference:
1. “Horsetail.” Penn State Hershey Health Information Library, Available here.
2. “Marestail (Horseweed).” Weeds, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Equisetum arvense – Field horsetail 02” By Zeynel Cebeci – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Conyza canadense 002” By H. Zell – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia