Exercise No.

4
PTERIDOPHYTA (Equisetales): Morpho-Anatomical Studies of
Equisetum ( Horsetails )

Hannah P. Lumista

I. INTRODUCTION

The Equisetales, also called the equisetophytes, sphenophytes,or sphenopsids, are

a monophyletic group that diverged early in the evolution of vascular plants (Simpson, 2006).
These plants were abundant and dominant during the Paleozoic but only a single genus
Equisetum has survived in our present era. Equisetales are united by several apomorphies,
namely, (1) ribbed stems often associated with internal hollow canals; (2) reduced, whorled
leaves that are usually marginally fused; (3) sporangiophores, each of which consists of a
peltate axis bearing pendant longitudinally dehiscent sporangia; and(4) photosynthetic
spores with elaters .
Equisetum popularly known as the horsetail or scouring rush is widely distributed but
absent in Australasia. The genus is small with 15 species and some hybrids. Some species
grow both on moist and xeric habitats whereas others flourish only in marshy habitats.
One of the known species, Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile (Roxb. ex
Vauch.) Hauke,occur in the Philippines. It has been found in Bukidnon, Mindanao.

II. OBJECTIVES

At the end of the exercise the student should be able to:

1. To describe the morphology and anatomy of Equisetum; and
2. To identify the tissues comprising the different organs of Equisetum

III. MATERIALS

Pictures/Photographs of fresh and herbarium specimens of Equisetum ramosissimum

Desf., Fl. ssp. debile (Roxb. ex Vauch.) Hauke
Pencil/Ballpen

IV. PROCEDURE:

Study the provided photographs of live or herbarium specimens of Equisetum

ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile (Roxb. ex Vauch.) Hauke. Examine closely the external
morphology such as the root, rhizome, aerial stem, leaf, sporangiophore and strobili. Describe
its morphology. Further, identify and label the structures pointed by arrows. Likewise, identify,
describe and label the anatomical regions of the different plant organs/structure like the root,
rhizome, aerial stem, leaf, sporangiophore and spores. Photographs of the prepared slides of
these organs will be provided by the instructor. Further, search from the internet a picture of
longitudinal section of the strobilus . Draw or paste the picture of the longitudinal section and
label the parts observed. Place all answers on the Data Sheet.

V. RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS. Answer completely the answer/data sheet.

REFERENCES:

Amoroso, V. B., C. Chen, F. Coritico, P. Lu, E. Alcala, and W. Chiou. 2016. Guide to
Lycophytes and Ferns of Balinsasayao, Negros, the Philippines. KBCC Press.
Philippines.

Jude, W. S. , C. S. Campbell, E. A. Kellog, P. F. Stevens, 2000. Plant Systematics: A

Phylogenetic Approach. Sinauer Associates, Inc. USA

Klaus, M., L.R. Walker and J.M. Sharpe. 2010. Fern Ecology. Cambridge University Press.
U.K.

Pelser, P.B., J.F. Barcelona & D.L. Nickrent (eds.). 2011 onwards. Co's Digital Flora of the
Philippines. www.philippineplants.org

PPG I, 2016. A community‐derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns.

Journal of Systematics and Evolution, Wiley Online
Library;https://doi.org/10.1111/jse.12229.

Simpson, M. G. 2006. Plant Systematics. Elsevier, Inc. London.

Smith, A. R., K. M. Pryer, E. Schuettpelz, P. Korall, H. Schneider, and P. G. Wolf. 2006. A

classification for extant ferns. Taxon.55 (3) : 705–731.

Important Reminder:

No part of this material maybe reproduced in any form or by any means by others
without the written permission of the author.
Name______________________________________Date Performed:_______________
Course and Year_____________________________ Rating:______________________

DATA SHEET

Exercise No. 4
PTERIDOPHYTA (Equisetales): Morpho-Anatomical Studies of
Equisetum ( Horsetails )

A. GROSS/EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY

The rhizome of Equisetum is dark brownish black, deeply subterranean and

horizontally growing with nodes and internodes. The rhizomes of some species produce
tuberous storage structures at their nodes.
The aerial shoot is branched or unbranched. In what ways is the aerial shoot similar
and different to that of the
rhizome?__________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________ Do
the aerial stems have well defined nodes and internodes?___________ Leaf whorls are
observed in the nodes. How many leaves are there in a given whorl?_____________ Do the
members of each leaf whorl alternate in position on the stem with those of the above and
below? _________ Do the ridges alternate in successive internodes as do the leaves at the
nodes?_____________ How many vascular strands are there in each member of a leaf
whorl?___________ Would the term microphyll apply to each member of a leaf whorl?
___________
Some of the aerial stems or the lateral branches may produce cones terminally. A
cone consists of a central axis bearing whorls of spore bearing appendages. It is green when
young and yellow to brown when mature. The axis of the cone is prolonged above the
uppermost group of spores producing appendages. Some botanist call the spore producing
appendages, sporangiophores or sporophylls. How are the spore-producing appendages
arranged on the cone axis?_____________ The spores are liberated by a longitudinal splitting
of the sporangial wall. The wall of the spore is laminated, and four ribbon-like bands separate
from the wall except for a common point of attachment. What do you call these ribbon-like
bands?____________
 Habit of of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile (Roxb. ex Vauch.) Hauke

B. ANATOMY

Cross-Section of the Root of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile (Roxb. ex
Vauch.) Hauke (100X)
 Cross-Section of the Rhizome of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile
(Roxb. ex Vauch.) Hauke (40X)

Are vascular tissues present in the rhizome of Equisetum ? _______ What is the
type of stele observed in the rhizome? ___________________________________

Cross-Section of the aerial stem of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile
(Roxb. ex Vauch.) Hauke (40X)
What type of tissue/s is observed in the cortex?__________________________________
The type of stele observed?_______________________ In what region can you observed
the xylem and phloem? _____________________________________________________

Scale leaf of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile (Roxb. ex Vauch.) Hauke (40X)

How main veins can you observed in the leaf?__________________________________

Is the leaf photosynthetic? _________________________________________________

Portion of strobilus of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile (Roxb. ex Vauch
Hauke (40X)
Spores of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl. ssp. debile (Roxb. ex Vauch.) Hauke (400X)

Are the spores photosynthetic? ________________________________________________

What part of the spore is responsible for dessimination? ____________________________

Longitudinal Section of the strobilus of Equisetum ramosissimum Desf., Fl.

ssp. debile (Roxb. ex Vauch.) Hauke (40X)
VI. CONCLUSION:

VII. GUIDE QUESTIONS:

1. What does paucity of xylem in a stem, leaf or root indicate?

2. What are the functions of the vallecular canals?

3. What is the composition of the xylem of Equisetum? Of its phloem?

4. Where can you locate the pith of Equisetum?

5. What are elaters and their probable function?