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buckbean

Scientific Name: Menyanthes trifoliata

Family: Menyanthaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: IA (bog buckbean), MD (buckbean), NC (buckbean), O

       

Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata)

Buckbean, also known as Bogbean, is a fascinating aquatic or marsh plant with a rich history and distinctive characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

  • The leaves are intensely bitter, which might deter some animals.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant grows in bogs, marshes, and shallow water, potentially presenting water safety concerns.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Menyanthes trifoliata L.
  • Common Names: Buckbean, Bogbean, Bean Trefoil, Marsh Trefoil
  • Family: Menyanthaceae (Buckbean Family, also sometimes referred to as Gentianaceae in older texts)
  • Genus: Menyanthes (monotypic, meaning it contains only one species)
  • Variety: M. trifoliata var. minor Michx. (North American form)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia.
  • Found in spongy bogs, marshes, and shallow water.
  • May be scarce in some regions, such as the south of England.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A perennial water plant.
  • Possesses a black, branching, jointed rootstock.
  • Sends up a flower stem dilated at the base.
  • Features dark green ternate (trifoliate) leaves.
  • Produces racemes of 10 to 20 white flowers, each approximately one inch in size.
  • Flowers have 5 pointed petals covered in long wiry hairs and are trumpet-like.
  • Often roots at the water margin.

Traditional Uses

  • Historically used medicinally by Native Americans and Europeans.
  • The leaves were traditionally used for their bitter taste, and for various purported health benefits, including use for rheumatism and anorexia.
  • In Europe, powdered roots were sometimes mixed with flour as a bitter-tasting bread additive.
  • It has also been used as a natural flavoring agent.

Quirky Facts

  • The Buckbean is the sole member of its genus, Menyanthes, making it a unique and isolated species.
  • The leaves are intensely bitter, which has led to its use as a flavoring agent, though the bitterness could be considered undesirable.

Further Information

  • Dictionary.com
  • Rightmove (for property prices)
  • Zoopla (for property details)
  • Shutterstock (for stock photos)