The horsetail Equisetum hyemale, native to Europe, Asia, and North America, the tough, silica-rich stems of which have been used for scouring and polishing.
Origin
Mid 18th century.
Definition of rough horsetail in US English:
rough horsetail
noun
The horsetail Equisetum hyemale, native to Europe, Asia, and North America, the tough, silica-rich stems of which have been used for scouring and polishing.