Equisetum bogotense

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

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] The species epithet refers to Bogotá, the capital of Colombia.

A segregate species, Equisetum rinihuense, has been described.

According to a recent study[3], this species may be the most isolated of all the genus, being more closely related with fossil Equisetums rather than living ones .

References

  1. ↑ Wright, CI; Van-Buren, L; Kroner, CI; Koning, MM (October 2007). "Herbal medicines as diuretics: a review of the scientific evidence". J Ethnopharmacol. 114: 1–31. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.07.023. PMID 17804183.
  2. ↑ http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dailys/00/Jul00/072000/rpt0071.pdf
  3. ↑ Elgorriaga, A.; Escapa, I.H.; Rothwell, G.W.; Tomescu, A.M.F.; Cúneo, N.R. (2018). "Origin of Equisetum: Evolution of horsetails (Equisetales) within the major euphyllophyte clade Sphenopsida". American Journal of Botany. 105 (8): 1–18. doi:10.1002/ajb2.1125. PMID 30025163.


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