Thread: Mare's tail
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Old 09-09-2006, 11:38 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening
Brian[_6_] Brian[_6_] is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Sep 2006
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Default Mare's tail


"K" wrote in message
...
Brian writes

Mare's tail should be no problem as it's a flowering plant.
However Horse tail is very different.


So what do you mean by Mare's tail? I always thought mare's tail
referred to the Equisetums that are grown ornamentally, which are no
more a flowering plant than are the horsetails. But Fitter uses
marestail for Hippurus vulgaris, which is a flowering plant

--
Kay

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Ancients did indeed believe that Mare's and Horse tail were related.
The mare's tail was thought to be a feminine form. Mare's tail has genuine
flowers with single stamens, followed by nuts. Not even remotely related to
Horse tail. Hippuridaceae c/f Equisetum.
Best Wishes Brian.