Aquatic Weed Alert – Horsetails found in Khancoban

Published on 18 December 2020

• This plant is on the National Environmental Alert List

An extremely invasive and significant water weed which can pose a great threat to waterways, cropping and grazing has been reported in a garden pond in Khancoban.

Horsetails (Equisetum hyemale) is an extremely invasive and significant water weed which can pose a great threat to waterways, cropping and grazing.  It is toxic to livestock.  

In accordance with Council’s regional rapid response plan, the plants were located, identified and are being removed and properly disposed of.

Horsetails are non-woody herbaceous plants. They are between 5-120 cm high but average about 80cm.  Fruiting stems are green to pale-brown, unbranched stems that produce fruiting cones. Other stems are green, can be single or branched, and hollow. The stems break easily at the joints and feel hard and rough due to their silica content. If on land, the root system can extend horizontally for up to 100 meters which makes them very difficult to eradicated.

There were two known infestations in New South Wales (NSW) near Leura in the Blue Mountains and Warringah in north Sydney, however Horsetails have been reported growing as potted plants around NSW. According to the DPI reporting and distribution maps, this is the first identified infestation recorded west of the ACT.

Horsetail nearly always spreads by rhizomes (grown from bits and pieces) but can produce spores that germinate in the right moist. The greatest spread threat however comes from garden waste or when plants are sold illegally.

Mowing and slashing is not effective and causes greater spread. Contact your local weeds officer for advice and direction if you identify this weed on your property.

For more information contact Council Ranger / Biosecurity Officer Mel Wilkerson. Tel: 1 300 275 782 (1300 ASK SVC) or email [email protected]