horsetail

noun

horse·​tail ˈhȯrs-ˌtāl 

: any of a genus (Equisetum of the order Equisetales) of lower tracheophytes comprising perennial, spore-producing plants that spread by creeping rhizomes and have leaves reduced to nodal sheaths on the hollow jointed ribbed shoots

Illustration of horsetail

• 1 vegetative plant
• 2 fertile plant

Examples of horsetail in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Made from natural ingredients like rosemary oil, peppermint oil, yucca leaf extra and horsetail leaf extract, the cleanser soothes the scalp and reduces inflammation. —Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025

Taking horsetail and apple cider vinegar may increase your risk for hypokalemia. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025

Horsetail Plant Extract As a nutraceutical (a plant product with medicinal benefits), horsetail may potentially benefit hair loss in people undergoing breast cancer treatment.15 Horsetail is also an ingredient in a hair-growth supplement called Viviscal. —Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024

Key Ingredients: Marine collagen (derived from shark), iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin C, niacin, calcium, silica, horsetail extract Type: Tablet Size: 60 tablets How to use: One tablet twice daily (after a meal) for three to six months. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for horsetail

• abigail
• cottontail
• countervail
• fingernail
• martingale
• mesoscale
• microscale
• monorail
• nanoscale
• ponytail
• swallowtail
• wensleydale

Kids Definition

horsetail

noun

horse·​tail ˈhȯr-ˌstāl 

: any of a genus of primitive plants that reproduce by spores instead of by flowers and seeds and have hollow stems and very small leaves resembling scales

called also equisetum, scouring rush