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Hippuris vulgaris - L.

Common Name Common Marestail, Common mare's-tail
Family Hippuridaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Pond margins, ditches etc, preferring base-rich water[17].
Range Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa, western and northern Asia.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Wet Soil Water Plants Full sun
Hippuris vulgaris Common Marestail, Common mare


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:119_Hippuris_vulgaris_L.jpg
Hippuris vulgaris Common Marestail, Common mare
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Aka

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Hippuris vulgaris is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

H. tetraphylla.

Plant Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[46, 61, 85, 257]. Used to make soups[257]. They are best harvested from autumn to spring, even the brown overwintered stems in spring can be used[172].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Vulnerary

The whole plant is an effective vulnerary, the juice being taken internally or applied externally[4, 172].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a wet soil or shallow water, preferring one that is base-rich[17]. Dislikes shade. Plants have a spreading root system and can be very invasive[1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed. We have no details on this species but suggest sowing it as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The plant spreads vegetatively so vigorously, however, that you probably won't have to worry about growing it from seed. Division in spring. Division is very easy and can be carried out at any time in the growing season. The divisions can be replanted direct into their permanent positions.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

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Subject : Hippuris vulgaris  
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