Bogbean - Menyanthes trifoliata

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Bogbean - Menyanthes trifoliata
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

This is a very beautiful, marginal aquatic plant with a spreading habit. It has pinkish white, lacy-fringed flowers that emerge above the leaves in graceful spikes. Its large, fleshy, dark green trefoil leaves are held above the water. In the wild, this plant can be found in bogs and pools at up to 1,000m above sea level. In the garden, it is a natural choice for planting in small or large ponds where it will withstand winter temperature changes and spread rapidly.

Its generic name, 'Menyanthes' means 'many anthers'. The flowers attract bees and other insects. Bogbean may not flower in the first year after planting but when it does, no-one could be disappointed with the effect.

Animals

Bees and wasps

Foliage	Green
Flower	White, May to July
Moisture	(Average)
Sunlight	(Full sun to Part-shade)
Origin	Native