Horsetail

On the banks of the channels and seasonal streams of the Empordà you can easily find horsetails. Horsetails are very primitive plants which have not evolved much since plants started to colonise the land. In fact, fossilised examples from 250 million years ago have been found! They were very common in the Carboniferous period, which is when the great reserves of fossil fuels were created. Although they look very different, they are a group which is closely related to the ferns.

Horsetails are often used as diuretics thanks to their flavonoids, potassium salts and silicates. Their stalks are dried out and used to make herbal teas. However, it is important to take it in moderation to avoid unwanted side effects.