Equisetum debile


Equisetum debile is a species of plant in the family Equisetaceae found in parts of temperate Asia. It is also treated as a subspecies of Equisetum ramosissimum under the name E. ramosissimum subsp. debile.
It is locally known as and योफूली translit. Yophuli in Nepal.

Description

Equisetum debile is a spore-bearing herb with erect, cylindrical, hollow and stem. Branches are long, slender, two or three in whorl, ribbed, nodes encircled by a tight sheath of connate scale like leaves. It has oblong strobilus at the end of branches.

Phenology and reproduction

Equisetum debile vegetatively propagates by the splitting of rhizome. Spore formation occurs in June to July. After dispersal, spores germinate within a few days at humid condition. Gametophytes reproduce protogynous reproduction i.e., formation of female gamete before male one.

Ecology and distribution

Equisetum debile is distributed in South East Asia, Southern China, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. In Nepal, it is found in moist places of the country at 2600 m.

Uses

Equisetum debile is used in traditional medicine in Nepal. It is applied to treat burns, scabies, malarial fever, gonorrhea, dislocated bones, and liver and chest complaints. There is insufficient scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Equisetum plants as a medicine to treat any human condition.