Hippuris
(the old Greek name used by Dioscorides, from hippos, a horse, and oura, a tail; in allusion to the resemblance of the stem to a horse's tail). ORD. Halorageae. A genus comprising one or two species of glabrous aquatic herbs, natives of Europe, Central and Northern Asia, North and Antarctic America. H. vulgaris is the only species which calls for special mention. It is a perennial, and thrives in a bog, pond, or marshy situation. Propagated by division of the roots, or by seeds.
H. vulgaris (common). Common Marestail. fl. greenish, minute; anthers red. Summer. l. linear, strap-shaped, entire. Stems simple, erect; upper part projecting out of the water sometimes to the height of 8in. or 10in., crowded by whorls of from eight to twelve leaves. Europe (Britain), Asia, &c. (Sy. En. B. 516.)