compare spore producing organ of equisetum and ophioglossum
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Habit and Habitat of Equisetum:
The plant body of Equisetum has an aerial part and an underground rhizome part (Fig. 7.83). The rhizome is perennial, horizontal, branched and creeping in nature. The aerial part is herbaceous and usually annual. Majority of the species are small with a size range in between 15 and 60 cm in height and 2.0 cm in diameter.
However some species grow up in higher heights [e.g., E. giganteum (13 m), E. telmateia (2 m); E. ramosissimum (4 m), though their stem are relatively thin (0.5-2.0 cm in diam.)] showing vine-like habit and climb over adjacent forest trees.
Equisetums generally grow in wet or damp habitats and are particularly common along the banks of streams or irrigation canals (E. debile, E. palustre). However, some species are adapted to xeric condition (e.g., Equisetum arvense). Some common Indian species are : E. arvense, E. debile, E. diffusum, E. ramosissimum.
Some species of Equisetum are indicators of the mineral content of the soil in which they grow. Some species accumulate gold (about 4.5 ounce per ton of dry wt.), thus they are considered as ‘gold indicator plants.
Hence these plants help in prospection/exploration for new ore deposits. In Equisetum, silica is deposited on the outer wall of the epidermal cells giving the characteristic rough feeling, thus it provides a protective covering against predators and pathogens.