Mare’s-tail (Hippuris vulgaris, Sp. Pl.: 4 (1753))

Family: Plantaginaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 4 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hippuris

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp.

Description

Mare’s-tail, scientifically known as Hippuris vulgaris, is a distinguished aquatic or semi-aquatic plant that thrives in Subarctic and temperate regions. It is a remarkable member of the Plantaginaceae family. This plant finds its origin in the works of Linnaeus, first being formally described in “Species Plantarum” in 1753.

Mare’s-tail exhibits slender, cylindrical stems that can grow both submerged in water bodies and emerge above the water surface. The plant’s unique structure consists of whorls of simple, narrow leaves that cling closely to its stem, giving it a bottle-brush appearance. This distinctive morphology not only contributes to its striking aesthetic but also plays a significant role in its ecological adaptations.

Typically found in shallow waters, Mare’s-tail serves as an important species in its native habitats. It plays a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystem, contributing to the stabilization of lake and pond substrates and providing shelter and habitat for various aquatic organisms. Its presence can be an indicator of water quality, as it tends to thrive in cleaner water bodies.

The plant prefers cooler climates and is well-adapted to grow in regions with subarctic and temperate conditions. Its ability to survive in these climates highlights its resilience and adaptability. The green, lush appearance of Mare’s-tail during its peak growing season adds vibrancy and a hint of wild elegance to natural water landscapes.

In summary, Mare’s-tail (Hippuris vulgaris) is a noteworthy aquatic plant characterized by its unique structural features and ecological importance. Being part of the Plantaginaceae family, it holds a special place in both botanical studies and natural aquatic environments, embodying the wonders of plant adaptability and ecological interaction.

Common Names

Eng: common mare’s tail, common mare’s-tail, mare’s-tail
Deu: gewöhnlicher tannenwedel, tannenwedel
Dan: hestehale, vandspir
Swe: hästsvans, hästsvansört, ledgräs
Nld: lidsteng
Fra: pesse deau, pesse commune, hippure vulgaire, hippuride vulgaire, pesse d’eau, pesse vulgaire, queue de cheval
Sme: heasttaseaibi, guossarássi
Cym: rhawn y gaseg, rhawn y march, rhawn-y-gaseg cyffredin
En: Mare’s-tail, COMMON MARE’S-TAIL, MARESTAIL, Common marestail, Common mare’s tail
Ca: Hippuris
Da: Hestehale, Vandspir
Nl: Lidsteng
Fr: Pesse deau, Pesse commune, Hippure vulgaire, Hippuride vulgaire, Pesse d’eau, Pesse vulgaire, Queue de cheval, Pesse, Hippuris, Hippuris commun
De: Gewöhnlicher Tannenwedel, Tannenwedel
It: Coda di cavallo acquatica
Se: Heasttaseaibi, Guossarássi
Es: Corregüela hembra
Sv: Hästsvans, Hästsvansört, Ledgräs
Cy: Rhawn y Gaseg, Rhawn y March, Rhawn-y-Gaseg Cyffredin
: Common mare’s-tail

Synonyms

• Hippuris vulgaris var. maritima ((Haller f.) W.D.J.Koch)
• Hippuris generalis (E.H.L.Krause)
• Hippuris vulgaris var. fluviatilis ((Hoffm.) Mérat)
• Hippuris palustris (Gorter)
• Hippuris vulgaris var. gigantea (Zalewski)
• Hippuris melanocarpa (N.Semenova)
• Limnopeuce vulgaris ((L.) Vaill. ex Greene)
• Hippuris vulgaris var. ramificans (D.Yu)
• Hippuris fluitans (Lilj. ex Hising.)
• Hippuris fluviatilis (Hoffm.)
• Hippuris spiralis (D.Yu)
• Hippuris verticillata (Gilib.)
• Hippuris vulgaris var. fluitans (Hartm.)
• Caullinia hippuroides (Raf.)
• Hippuris vulgaris f. tetraphylla ((L.f.) Lepage)
• Hippuris vulgaris f. lacunarum ((Dutilly & Lepage) Lepage)
• Isnardia palustris (Lucé)
• Hippuris tetraphylla f. lacunarum (Dutilly & Lepage)
• Hippuris vulgaris f. litoralis (H.Lindb.)
• Hippuris vulgaris var. demersa (Gray)
• Hippuris polyphylla (Raf.)
• Hippuris eschscholtxii (Cham. ex Ledeb.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Albania (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2017 by Tyc Tyc (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 21, 2018 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2019 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 15, 2020 by daniel otavo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2019 by Magda (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 9, 2018 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 22, 2008 by EOL − Dean Wm. Taylor (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 9, 2009 by EOL − Jan Ševčík (public)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 30, 1852 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5372503)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:430352-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hippuris vulgaris L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 4.8

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 4