Bogbean
Bogbean in a shallow pond, West Dorset
Flower spikes and leaves above water
Close-up of flower spike
Flower with 5 epipetalous stamens
Front view of hairs and anthers
Style with lobed stigmas
Fruits - capsules
3-lobed leaves
Trefoil leaves
Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthaceae
Buckbean, Marsh Trefoil
April to June
It is found throughout the country except for parts of the
east Midlands.
See the BSBI distribution map for Bogbean
Bogbean grows in unshaded and shallow freshwater bogs,
ponds and slow-flowing rivers. It can dominate the habitat.
It is a native, rhizomatous, creeping, perennial, aquatic
herb.Stems float over 1.5m.
Erect leaf stalks and flower spikes reach up to 30cm
above water.
Flowers are white on the inside and pink on the
outside and up to 15mm across.
They have 5 white, fringed petals, 5 epipetalous stamens
(attached to the corolla and alternating with the petals), a
long style and lobed stigmas. The style can be of different
lengths (heterostylous) to attract different pollinating
insects. Fruits are a capsule.
Leaves are elongated ovals, 3.5-7cm long and on petioles
up to 20cm.
Bogbean has been used as a herbal medicine for scurvy,
rheumatism and colds, and as an alternative to hops in
making beer.
Previous page: Blue Corn-lily
Next page: Bog-myrtle
Bogbean in a shallow pond, West Dorset
Flower spikes and leaves above water
Close-up of flower spike
Flower with 5 epipetalous stamens
Front view of hairs and anthers
Style with lobed stigmas
Fruits - capsules
3-lobed leaves
Trefoil leaves
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