This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Menyanthes trifoliata
  • Bogbean

a perennial member of the Menyanthes genus in the family Menyanthaceae.

MenyanthesTrifoliata.jpg
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsaquatic
    Aquatic
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Menyanthes trifoliata has 2 edible uses listed
Menyanthes trifoliata has 13 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root - cooked[1][2]. It must be treated to get rid of an acrid taste[3][4]. This can be done by drying the root, grinding it into a powder and then washing it in running water[1]. Unfortunately, this treatment will also get rid of many of the vitamins and minerals contained in the root[K]. The powder can be used for making 'missen bread' (famine bread)[5]. The root is an emergency food that is used when all else fails[6]. The intensely bitter leaves are used as a substitute for hops in making beer[1][7][8][9][5].

Unknown part

Condiment

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Menyanthes trifoliata.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Bogbean is closely related to the gentians, which are famous bitter herbs used as a digestive and general body tonic[10]. This plant can be used similarly, but it can irritate the digestive system of patients with gastric inflammation or infection[10].

The plant is anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, cathartic, deobstruent, digestive, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hypnotic, stomachic, tonic[11][7][12][8][13][14][4][15][16][17][10]. All parts of the plant are medically active, but the leaves are the part most commonly used[11][18]. The leaves are best harvested in late spring or early summer and dried before use[12][17], the fresh plant causes vomiting[17].

An infusion is given in the treatment of muscular weakness in M.E., chronic infections with debility and exhaustion, indigestion, anorexia and rheumatism[10]. Given in small doses of about 10 grains it imparts vigour to the stomach and aids digestion[16][17]. Using the plant helps a person to gain weight[19]. It s also believed to be an effective remedy for rheumatoid arthritis, especially when this condition is associated with weakness, weight loss and lack of vitality[19]. Bogbean is usually prescribed in combination with other herbs such as celery seed (Apium graveolens) and white willow (Salix alba)[19]. This plant should not be prescribed for patients with diarrhoea, dysentery or colitis[10]. Excess doses cause vomiting[10].

Unknown part

Antiinflammatory
Astringent
Carminative
Cathartic
Deobstruent
Digestive
Diuretic
Emetic
Emmenagogue
Febrifuge
Hypnotic
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Do not allow the seed to dry out. Sow late winter to early spring in a pot in a cold frame and keep the pot just submerged in water. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in trays of water in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Division in spring. Very easy, the divisions can be planted straight out into their permanent positions if required. However, particularly with smaller divisions, we find it better to pot them up and grow them on in a cold frame for a few weeks until they are established.

Cuttings taken in summer can be inserted into the mud at the side of the pond and will normally root well.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Menyanthes trifoliata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Grow in a bog garden in wet peaty soil or in shallow water at the edge of a pond[20]. Prefers acid conditions[10]. Succeeds in water up to 30cm deep[21]. Dislikes shade.

Plants can be very invasive, spreading by means of long-creeping thick surface rhizomes[20]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°c[20].

Cats are very fond of this plant[15].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Menyanthes trifoliata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Menyanthes trifoliata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Menyanthes trifoliata
Genus
Menyanthes
Family
Menyanthaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Medicinal uses
[10][11][7][12][8][13][14][4][15][16][17][18][19]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[22][23]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
  • Unknown part (Condiment)
  • Root (Unknown use)
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
  • Unknown part (Antiinflammatory)
  • Unknown part (Astringent)
  • Unknown part (Carminative)
  • Unknown part (Cathartic)
  • Unknown part (Deobstruent)
  • Unknown part (Digestive)
  • Unknown part (Diuretic)
  • Unknown part (Emetic)
  • Unknown part (Emmenagogue)
  • Unknown part (Febrifuge)
  • Unknown part (Hypnotic)
  • Unknown part (Stomachic)
  • Unknown part (Tonic)
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
aquatic
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.25 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees, Lepidoptera
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health (1973-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. ()
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Singh. Dr. G. and Kachroo. Prof. Dr. P. Forest Flora of Srinagar. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh (1976-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.2 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    15. ? 15.015.115.2 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    16. ? 16.016.116.2 Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-2624-6 (1993-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.217.317.4 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.1 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.119.219.3 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    20. ? 20.020.120.2 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    21. ? Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden. ()
    22. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
    23. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)


    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Menyanthes_trifoliata&oldid=78694"