Equisetum bogotense, the Andean horsetail, is a herbaceous perennial that reproduces through spores. It has thicker, less bushy[clarification needed] 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.
Andean horsetail | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Division: | Polypodiophyta |
Class: | Polypodiopsida |
Subclass: | Equisetidae |
Order: | Equisetales |
Family: | Equisetaceae |
Genus: | Equisetum |
Subgenus: | E. subg. Equisetum |
Species: | E. bogotense
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Binomial name | |
Equisetum bogotense |
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, as it is more closely related with fossil Equisetums rather than living ones.