Hippuris vulgaris
L.
Common Marestail, Common mare's-tail
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(c) Eric Hough, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Eric Hough
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(c) jmole, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by jmole
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(c) Игорь Поспелов, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Игорь Поспелов
Description
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.
Edible Uses
Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked. Used to make soups. They are best harvested from autumn to spring, even the brown overwintered stems in spring can be used.
Medicinal Uses
Vulnerary. The whole plant is an effective vulnerary, the juice being taken internally or applied externally.
Distribution
Most of Europe, including Britain, south and east to N. Africa, western and northern Asia.
Where It Grows
EUROPE: Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Cultivation
Requires a wet soil or shallow water, preferring one that is base-rich. Dislikes shade. Plants have a spreading root system and can be very invasive.
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.