The upright stems are usually scarcely branched with loose green leaf sheaths that have 5-10 narrow, dark teeth.

[6][7] The rough, furrowed stem is 1–3 mm diameter, with usually 8–10 ribs, in rare cases, 4–12; it bears a variable number of whorled branches.

[citation needed] In Finland, it has benefited from human action and grows often in road and track sides, ditches and especially peat based fields and pastures.

[9] Equisetum palustre is poisonous to mammals, most often reported as potentially fatal to horses, as it contains alkaloids palustrine and palustridiene, which destroy vitamin B1.

Many thiaminases, however, are denatured by heat, and some sources refer Equisetum palustre safe to eat in moderate amounts when properly cooked.