Many of us walked straight past this rare plant thinking it was Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail) which can vary quite a bit. It is more branched than E. arvense and rough to the touch but still quite similar at first glance.

It is mostly a Scottish upland plant apart from outcrops in the Teesdale region and only one in Southern England.

Banks of River Tees, Teesdale, 21st June 2005

Added on 26th October 2005, updated 1st January 2009, updated 29th March 2010