Hippuris tetraphylla L.fil.

Previous Genus Classification

Previously, the genus Hippuris, commonly known as mare's tail, was the only genus placed in the plant family Hippuridaceae.

Revised Family Placement

After genetic research conducted by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group, this genus has been transferred to the family Plantaginaceae, and Hippuridaceae is now treated as a synonym of Plantaginaceae.

Genus Species Count

Depending on different taxonomic interpretations, the genus contains between one and three species.

Recognized Species List

Some authorities recognize only one species from the three listed below, and classify the other two as synonyms of the accepted species: Common mare's tail (Hippuris vulgaris), Mountain mare's tail (Hippuris montana), and Fourleaf mare's tail (Hippuris tetraphylla).

Species Habitat

All Hippuris species are aquatic plants that grow in shallow ponds and in both slow-moving and fast-flowing streams.

Identification Note

Though Hippuris is a flowering plant, it is sometimes incorrectly confused with the non-flowering plant horsetail.