Bog-bean (Menyanthes trifoliata, Sp. pl. 1:145. 1753)

Family: Menyanthaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:145. 1753

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Menyanthes

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Detailed Content on Bog-bean (Menyanthes trifoliata)

The Bog-bean, scientifically named Menyanthes trifoliata, is an intriguing and versatile plant found predominantly in subarctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Recognized by its Botanical name as early as 1753 in the publication “Species Plantarum”, this perennial aquatic plant is a proud member of the Menyanthaceae family.

Description

Bog-bean is a semi-aquatic species revered for its distinctive trifoliate leaves, which possess a bewitching charm with their broad, toothed edges. The leaves are typically arranged in whorls, offering a picturesque foliage as they emerge from the swampy habitats. Sprouting from the base, the plant’s stems are submerged or lie prostrate on the water surface, giving rise to an enchanting network of foliage.

Habitat and Distribution

Found across vast swathes of the subarctic and temperate regions in the Northern Hemisphere, Bog-bean thrives in saturated soil conditions. Its preferred locales include peat bogs, marshes, shallow ponds, and wet meadows, where the soil remains consistently moist but not overly inundated. The plant’s adaptability to such specific ecological niches underscores its ecological importance and specificity.

Floral Characteristics

The flowering phase of the Bog-bean is as captivating as its leaf arrangement. Blooming from late spring to early summer, the plant unfurls its delicate star-shaped flowers. These blossoms are typically white or pale pink, exuding beauty and simplicity. Each flower is adorned with fringed edges, presenting a soft, feather-like appearance that adds a touch of elegance to its natural habitat.

Ecological and Cultural Significance

The presence of Bog-bean is vital for the health of wetland ecosystems. It contributes significantly to the habitat’s biodiversity, serving as a source of cover and sustenance for various aquatic and semi-aquatic organisms. Additionally, the plant possesses phytoremediation properties, helping in the detoxification of polluted water systems.

From a cultural perspective, the plant has been utilized in traditional medicine across various indigenous communities within its range. Known for its bitter properties, parts of the Bog-bean have been employed in treating ailments such as digestive disorders, inflammation, and even as a tonic to stimulate appetite.

Concluding Remarks

Menyanthes trifoliata, or the Bog-bean, exemplifies the intricate beauty and ecological dynamism of wetland flora. With a historic nomenclature dating back to the 18th century, its enduring presence in subarctic and temperate biomes continues to enchant botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. The captivating trifoliate leaves and delicate flowers underscore the symbiotic relationship between this plant and its watery abode, highlighting its indispensable role in fostering biodiversity and ecological resilience.

Common Names

Eng: bog-bean, bog-myrtle, buck-bean, buckbean, common bogbean, marsh trefoil, marsh-clover, water trefoil, bog buckbean, bogbean
Dan: bukkeblad
Deu: fieberklee
Nob: bukkeblad
Nno: bukkeblad
Nor: gede-kløv, ketkløv, vasskløver
Fin: raate
Swe: raate, vattenklöver, bläcken
Fra: trèfle deau, trèfle d’eau
Nld: waterdrieblad
Sme: muošká
Cym: ffa’r corsydd, ffa’r gors, ffa’r gors teirdalen, ffaen y gors, ffaen y gors teirdalen, ffeuen y gors, maill y gors, meillion y gors
Kor: jo-reum-na-mul
En: Bog-bean, Bog-myrtle, Marsh trefoil, Marsh-clover, Water trefoil, Buckbean, Bogbean, Buck-Bean, COMMON BOGBEAN, Muáskâš, Muâckač, Bog buckbean, Marsh Clover
Ar: أطريفل الماء
Hy: Ջրառվույտ
Az: Üçyarpaq suyoncası
Ba: Вахта үләне
Be: Бабок трылісьцёвы, Бабок
Bg: Горчивче
Ca: Trèvol d’aigua
Zh: 睡菜
Cv: Тĕкĕрчен
Kw: Teyrdelen an kors
Hr: Trolistica
Cs: Vachta trojlistá
Da: Bukkeblad, Almindelig Bukkeblad
Nl: Waterdrieblad
Et: Ubaleht
Fi: Raate
Fr: Trèfle d’eau, Trèfle d’Eau, Trèfle deau, Trefle d’eau, Herbe à canards, Ményanthe trifolié, Ményanthe trifoliée, Ményanthe à trois feuilles, Trèfle-d’eau commun, Ményanthe, Trèfle des marais
Ka: Წყლის სამყურა
De: Fieberkle, Fieberklee, Dreiblättriger Fieberklee, Magenklee, Moosklee, Sumpf-Fieberklee, Wasserfieberkraut
Hu: Vidrafű
Is: Reiðinglyng, Horblaðka
Ga: Báchrán
It: Trifoglio fibrino, Trifoglio d’acqua
Kk: Субеде
Ko: 조름나물, Jo-reum-na-mul
Lv: Trejlapu puplaksis
Lt: Trilapis puplaiškis
Mk: Водна детелина, Горчлива детелина
Se: Muoskkáš, Muošká, Muoškkáš, Njuohcu, Čáhcerágit
No: Bukkeblad, Gede-kløv, Ketkløv, Vasskløver
Nb: Bukkeblad
Nn: Bukkeblad
Fa: منیانتس
Pl: Bobrek trójlistkowy
Ru: Вахта
Sk: Vachta trojlistá
Es: Menianto, Navadni mrzličnik, Trébol de agua, Trébol acuático, Trébol febrífugo
Sv: Vattenklöver, Raate, Bläcken
Zh-tw: 睡菜
Tt: Кондыз үләне
Zh-hant: 睡菜
Tr: Su yoncası
Uk: Бобівник трилистий
Cy: Ffeuen y Gors, Ffa’r Corsydd, Ffa’r Gors, Ffa’r Gors Teirdalen, Ffaen y Gors, Ffaen y Gors Teirdalen, Maill y Gors, Meillion y Gors

Synonyms

• Menyanthes latifolia (Raf.)
• Menyanthes trifoliata f. brevistyla (Aver.)
• Menyanthes trifoliata f. microphylla (Bolzon)
• Menyanthes trifoliata f. macrophylla (Bolzon)
• Menyanthes trifoliata subsp. verna ((Raf.) Gervais & M.Parent)
• Menyanthes trifolium (Neck.)
• Menyanthes verna (Raf.)
• Menyanthes paradoxa (Fr.)
• Menyanthes tridentata (Raf.)
• Menyanthes americana (Sweet)
• Menyanthes trifoliata var. paradoxa (Fr.)
• Menyanthes palustris (Gray)
• Menyanthes trifoliata var. minor (Fernald)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 13, 2018 by Manon Bounous (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Yves DESDEVISES (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2011 by Alain Lagrave (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by Frozy

Taken May 14, 2018 by Christina Dollinger (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Alexandra Norrsken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Michel Delizy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Michel Delizy (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2021 by Frozy

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 30, 2022 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Valérie L’Eplattenier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2005 by Sylvain Gaudin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Michel Delizy (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Darren Giddins (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Oct 31, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Alexandra Norrsken (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Frank Vincentz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2012 by EOL − Vahe Martirosyan (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 2, 2022 by V Michael (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5341511)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:50970102-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Menyanthes trifoliata L.)

Specifications

Growth form: Rhizomatous

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 4.8

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 3