Hippuris vulgaris (from – horse and – tail), known as mare's-tail or common mare's-tail, is a common aquatic flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. Its distribution ranges from Eurasia and North America to Greenland, the Tibetan Plateau and Arizona. It prefers non-acidic waters.
Description
The common mare's tail is a creeping, perennial herb, found in shallow waters and mud flats. It roots underwater, but most of its leaves are above the water surface. The leaves occur in whorls of 6–12; those above water are 0.5 to 2.5 cm long and up to 3 mm wide, whereas those under water are thinner and limper, and longer than those above water, especially in deeper streams. The stems are solid and unbranched but often curve, and can be up to 60 cm long. In shallow water they project 20–30 cm out of the water. It grows from stout rhizomes. The flowers are inconspicuous, and not all plants produce them. Studies of H. vulgaris in the Tibetan Plateau have shown that it is a prolific methane emitter. The roots of H. vulgaris extend into the anoxic zone of wetland soils and create a conduit for methane produced in the anoxic zone to travel to the atmosphere.
Taxonomy Hippuris vulgaris was given its scientific name in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. It is classified as part of the genus Hippuris alongside three other species and along with its genus is part of the Plantaginaceae family. The species has no accepted varieties, but five have been described that are among its 20 synonyms.
Table of Synonyms Name Year Rank Notes Caullinia hippuroides 1808 species = het. Hippuris eschscholtxii 1843 species = het. Hippuris fluitans 1857 species = het. Hippuris fluviatilis 1800 species = het. Hippuris generalis 1901 species = het. Hippuris melanocarpa 1959 species = het. Hippuris palustris 1761 species = het. Hippuris polyphylla 1817 species = het. Hippuris spiralis 1990 species = het. Hippuris tetraphylla f. lacunarum 1954 form = het. Hippuris verticillata 1792 species = het., opus utique oppr. Hippuris vulgaris var. demersa 1821 variety = het. Hippuris vulgaris var. fluitans 1820 variety = het. Hippuris vulgaris var. fluviatilis 1812 variety = het. Hippuris vulgaris var. gigantea 1896 variety = het. Hippuris vulgaris f. lacunarum 1971 form = het. Hippuris vulgaris f. litoralis 1906 form = het. Hippuris vulgaris var. ramificans 1990 variety = het. Isnardia palustris 1823 species = het., sensu auct. Limnopeuce vulgaris 1894 species ≡ hom. Notes: ≡ homotypic synonym; = heterotypic synonym
Uses It can also be a troublesome weed, obstructing the flow of water in rivers and ditches.
References
External links
Jepson Manual Treatment USDA Plants Profile