Bogbean - Menyanthes trifoliata
Irish name - Báchrán
Bogbean family - Menyanthaeae
The bogbean is an aquatic or bog plant, hence the “bog” part of the name. The three shiny, smooth-edged leaflets on the plant (look at the Latin name “trifoliata“, which means three leaves) look like the leaves of a bean plant, hence then name “bean”.
Bogbean flowers between May and July, with feathery, star-like flowers – pink on the outside, white on the inside. Multiple flowers occur in groups (racemes) at the end of the flower stalk. These, and the leaves, raise themselves up on long, thick stalks to avoid shade. The bogbean flowers are pollinated by bees and butterflies, but the flowers’ rank smell also attracts beetles and flies. Its fruit consists of a capsule containing many shiny, yellow-brown buoyant seeds.
The bogbean thrives in moist, light places on most soil types and can be found in blanket bogs, raised bogs, fens and ponds throughout Northern Ireland. Although a native plant, it is not protected or threatened, and can be very common in the Northern Irish scenery, but its range has decreased due to the drainage of many of our natural wetlands.
An alternative common name, “bog hop” came into existance because of the use of the leaves as a flavouring in beer-making! The bogbean had many historical medicinal uses and is still used by modern herbalists. The leaves were used for tea to strengthen weak stomachs, and the plant was also used against tuberculosis, heart problems and asthma. Native Americans also used the bogbean as an emergency food supply, but both the leaves and the root of the plant have a bitter taste.
Propagation
By division
By far the easiest way to grow new bogbean plants is to divide existing plants during the growing season. Carefully pull a leafy shoot, collecting as much of the rooted stem as possible – the more roots a shoot has, the quicker it will establish. Plant the shoot into the mud at the edge of your pond and that’s all you need to do!
Make sure the pond you are collecting from does not contain any ‘undesirables’, like parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), as even the smallest piece of invasive plants can cause problems. For more information about non-native invasives, visit Plantlife.
The following grow in similar habitats (alphabetical by common name)
Permission from the landowner - and, if the site holds any kind of designation, from Environment & Heritage Service too - must be sought before collecting plant material (including seeds).