Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 19, 2026

Calamitaceae

Calamitaceae is an extinct family of equisetalean plants related to the modern horsetails, known from the Carboniferous and Permian periods. Some members of this family like Arthropitys attained tree-like stature, with heights over 15 metres (49 ft), with extensive underground rhizomes. They were largely found in wetland environments.

Last revised
Jul 19, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
186 w
Citations
2
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Calamitaceae
Temporal range:
Annularia stellata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Subclass: Equisetidae
Order: Equisetales
Family: †Calamitaceae
Unger, 1840
Genera

See text

Calamitaceae is an extinct family of equisetalean plants related to the modern horsetails, known from the Carboniferous and Permian periods.1 Some members of this family like Arthropitys attained tree-like stature, with heights over 15 metres (49 ft), with extensive underground rhizomes. They were largely found in wetland environments.2

Proposed genera and species of Calamitaceae

Asterophyllites equisetiformis source ↗
Calamites source ↗
References

References

  1. Elgorriaga, A.; Escapa, I.H.; Rothwell, G.W.; Tomescu, A.M.F.; Cúneo, N.R. (2018). "Origin of Equisetum: Evolution of horsetails (Equisetales) within the major euphyllophyte clade Sphenopsida". American Journal of Botany. 105 (8): 1286–1303. doi:10.1002/ajb2.1125. PMID 30025163.
  2. Rößler, Ronny; Feng, Zhuo; Noll, Robert (October 2012). "The largest calamite and its growth architecture — Arthropitys bistriata from the Early Permian Petrified Forest of Chemnitz". Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology. 185: 64–78. Bibcode:2012RPaPa.185...64R. doi:10.1016/j.revpalbo.2012.07.018.
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