Equisetum bogotense

Andean horsetail
Andean horsetail
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta
Class: Equisetopsida
Order: Equisetales
Family: Equisetaceae
Genus: Equisetum
Species: E. bogotense
Binomial name
Equisetum bogotense
Kunth

The Andean horsetail (Equisetum bogotense) is a herbaceous perennial that reproduces through spores. It has thicker less bushy whorled branches, and a silica rich rhizomatous stem, which roots grow out of, under ground. This stem is a dull dark brown color with glabrous growth aside from the sheathed segments. The plant has a history as a traditional herbal remedy, and a study of its diuretic effects on humans showed significant increases in urinary sodium, potassium, and chloride. Human and animal trials of indicate that E. bogotense has "high" efficacy as a diuretic.[1] It is used in several modern herbal supplements.[2]

A segregate species, Equisetum rinihuense, has been described.

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/2/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.