That looks like it might be what I need! Using various sized dowels and cocktail sticks should work.
I'm making several kinds of primordial plants for a game based on pre-human Earth and I wanted to use bamboo to represent some early plant species.
I'm also going to go out this summer and try to find and dry some horsetail plants which should scale down nicely once dried and painted.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Here's an idea for bamboo sticks. Not mine, but Atacam's, [ur=http://bushido-thegame.com/forum/atacam-18#newl]over on the Bushido forums.[/url]
Cocktail sticks scored to make the segments. Can be a bit of work if you need lots and lots, of course.