About Hippuris montana Ledeb. ex Rchb.
Previous Taxonomic Placement
Hippuris, commonly known as mare's tail, was previously the only genus placed in the family Hippuridaceae.
Revised Family Classification
After genetic research conducted by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, the genus Hippuris has been transferred to the family Plantaginaceae, and Hippuridaceae is now treated as a synonym of Plantaginaceae.
Species Count Range
Depending on taxonomic interpretation, the genus includes between one and three species.
Recognized Species List
Some taxonomic authorities only recognize one listed species, and treat the other two as its synonyms: Common mare's tail (Hippuris vulgaris), Mountain mare's tail (Hippuris montana), and Fourleaf mare's tail (Hippuris tetraphylla).
Growth Habitat
All Hippuris are aquatic plants that grow in shallow ponds and both slow-moving and fast-flowing streams.
Common Misidentification
Although Hippuris is a flowering plant, it is sometimes mistakenly confused with the non-flowering plant horsetail.