Giant Equisetum in Panama

  Equisetum giganteum near Boquete, Panama (June, 2001).   This population was growing on an open marshy expanse in the valley of the Río Caldera.  A layer of water several centimeters deep covered the soil and the dominant vegetation was tall grasses and shrubs.  The E. giganteum stems were about 2-2.5 m high and the largest diameter observed was ~1.7 cm.  Photos by Chad Husby.

The following photos represent the actual color of the plants fairly accurately.

1. Very young stem
2. Young stem apex (from above)
3. Developing branch whorl (closeup)
4. Developing branch whorls 1
5. Developing branch whorls 2
6. Developing stems
7. Mature stem

The following photos have a bluish "washed-out" cast to them and do not accurately convey the colors of the plants.  Most of the photos I took in Panama had this "washed-out" look, possibly due to the effects of high humidity on the film I used.

1. Young stem apex
2. Developing branch whorls
3. Developing stem 1
4. Developing stem 2
5. Developing stem 3
6. Developing stem 4
7. Developing stem 5
9. Adventitious root emerging beneath a branch bud


If you have any comments or questions, please contact the author, Chad Husby ( chad.husby@fiu.edu or husby.1@osu.edu )

© Chad E. Husby 2002

Last modified August 11, 2002

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