Description of Hippuris vulgaris (Mare's Tail)

Hippuris vulgaris is mare’s tail, a native aquatic that grows in shallow water and wet mud. It forms upright stems with neat whorls of leaves.

Appearance

Stems rise above the water with narrow leaves arranged in rings. Underwater stems are softer and more feathery. Height above water is usually 20 to 40cm.

Care Guide

It prefers still or slow moving water and shallow margins.

• Sun: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Mud or heavy wet soil.
• Water: Shallow water or saturated margins.
• Control: Lift sections if it spreads too far.
• Maintenance: Little needed beyond thinning.

It can spread by creeping rhizomes in good conditions.

Suitability for Bog Garden

This suits bog gardens with a pond edge or permanently wet hollow. It gives a tidy vertical accent among low plants.

Use in natural style planting.

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