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Hippuris vulgaris (Mare's Tail)
Hippuridaceae (Mare's Tail Family)

Foothills, montane. Ponds, streams. Summer.
Haviland Lake Trail, July 23, 2005.

Hippuris vulgaris is the only member of its family, but it is found around the world in ponds and streams.  It at first looks like the very common Horsetails.  Flowers are buff green and are found one in each upper leaf axil.  One stamen protrudes in red from the cylindrical female pod.

The pink flower in the photograph at left is that of Persicaria amphibia and the yellow is Utricularia macrorhiza.

Greek gives us both "hippo" ("horse") and "oura" ("tail"). 

Linnaeus named this genus in 1753.

Hippuris vulgaris (Mare's Tail)
Hippuridaceae (Mare's Tail Family)

Foothills, montane. Ponds, streams. Summer.
Haviland Lake Trail, July 23, 2005.