Menyanthes trifoliata
Menyanthes trifoliatafam. Menyanthaceae
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Pl. 2371 — Menyanthes trifoliata
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IOverview
Overview
Menyanthes trifoliata, commonly known as bogbean, is a perennial herb native to Albania and found in wet habitats such as bogs and marshes. This plant reaches heights of about 0.3 meters and thrives in light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils with a pH range of 4.8–6.5. Its distinctive trifoliate leaves, each composed of three leaflets, are a key identifying feature. Bogbean is known for its edible roots, which can be used in culinary preparations, and has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to support digestive health, particularly for conditions like indigestion and bloating. A decoction of the root is often recommended. The plant is also used in traditional practices around calming and relaxation, though PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice. Bogbean can be propagated through division or seed sowing and thrives in partial shade to full sun, making it adaptable to various growing conditions. Hardy in temperate regions from zones 2-7, it is found in a wide range of introduced regions, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
Quick answers
What is Menyanthes trifoliata?
Menyanthes trifoliata, commonly known as bogbean, is a perennial herb native to Albania and found in wet habitats such as bogs and marshes. This plant reaches heights of about 0.3 meters and thrives in light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils with a pH range of 4.
What is Menyanthes trifoliata used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Menyanthes trifoliata
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · traditional-use contextTraditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
- Traditional-use note: Menyanthes trifoliata appears in herbal sources around calming and relaxation traditions, often as a tincture. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
▲ ModerateStress & anxiety → - Menyanthes trifoliata has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to support digestive health, particularly for conditions like indigestion and bloating. A decoction of the root is often recommended.
The mechanism by which Menyanthes supports digestion is not fully characterised but may involve compounds that influence gut motility or reduce inflammation.
▲ ModerateDigestion →
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Menyanthes trifoliata support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Menyanthes trifoliata thrives in wet conditions and prefers light to heavy soils with a pH between 4.8 and 6.5. It requires partial shade to full sun, with moderate light needs. This perennial grows up to 0.3 meters tall and is hardy in temperate regions from zones 2-7. For propagation, division or seed sowing can be used. Harvest the edible root parts for culinary use.
Light
7/10
Water
Wet, Water
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
2-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
Soil pH
4.8–6.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Menyanthes trifoliata for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple and forgiving plant like Skip, which thrives in wet conditions.
- 1
What you'll need
Skip plants, containers or ground space, potting mix if using containers.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Skip in early spring or late fall when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a well-draining soil with a pH between 4.8–6.5, ensuring it's moist but not waterlogged.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant Skip from containers into the garden or directly sow seeds in the ground after danger of frost has passed.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid direct sunlight for the first few days.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Fertilize sparingly with a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead foliage to maintain plant health and appearance; roots can be harvested in late fall.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny a location, using incorrect soil pH.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: Condiment
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
115 native · 114 introduced
Distribution
115 native · 114 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 115 native· 114 introduced
Europe49 regions
native (25)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
introduced (24)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia16 regions
native (8)AfghanistanChinaJapanKazakhstanMongoliaNepalSouth KoreaTurkey
introduced (8)AfghanistanChinaJapanKazakhstanMongoliaNepalSouth KoreaTurkey
Americas4 regions
native (2)GreenlandUnited States
introduced (2)GreenlandUnited States
Africa2 regions
native (1)Morocco
introduced (1)Morocco
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Aleutian Is., Altay, Amur, Arizona, Baltic States, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Føroyar, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Labrador, Magadan, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Transcaucasus, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia, Yukon
introduced:Alberta, Aleutian Is., Altay, Amur, Arizona, Baltic States, British Columbia, Buryatiya, California, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Føroyar, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kuril Is., Labrador, Magadan, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Newfoundland, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northwest Territorie, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ohio, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Primorye, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., Sakhalin, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Transcaucasus, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Himalaya, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia, Yukon
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Menyanthaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
Native to
XII
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