LeavesBasal, alternate, compound; leaflets 3, elliptic to oval, 3-11.3 cm long, 1-5.3 cm wide, margins entire, or wide shallow teethFlowersInflorescence a raceme, terminal, 10-30 cm long; flowers radially symmetric, subtended by a bract; sepals 5, fused, 3-5mm long; petals 5-6, fused into funnel-shape, 5-7 mm, white, purple-tinged, scaly-haired on inner surface; stamens 5, red; pistils 1, stigma 2-lobed, green, ovary superior, triangularFruits and SeedsCapsule, oval, 6-10 mm long; seeds 2-2.5 mm, orange-brown, smooth, shiney
Scientific NameMenyanthes trifoliata L.
Common Name
buckbean
General Description
Perennial herb, aquatic to semi-aquatic; stem 10-30 cm tall
Leaves
Basal, alternate, compound; leaflets 3, elliptic to oval, 3-11.3 cm long, 1-5.3 cm wide, margins entire, or wide shallow teeth
Flowers
Inflorescence a raceme, terminal, 10-30 cm long; flowers radially symmetric, subtended by a bract; sepals 5, fused, 3-5mm long; petals 5-6, fused into funnel-shape, 5-7 mm, white, purple-tinged, scaly-haired on inner…
Inflorescence a raceme, terminal, 10-30 cm long; flowers radially symmetric, subtended by a bract; sepals 5, fused, 3-5mm long; petals 5-6, fused into funnel-shape, 5-7 mm, white, purple-tinged, scaly-haired on inner surface; stamens 5, red; pistils 1, stigma 2-lobed, green, ovary superior, triangular
Fruits and Seeds
Capsule, oval, 6-10 mm long; seeds 2-2.5 mm, orange-brown, smooth, shiney
Phenology
Flowers from June to July
Notes
Similar species:
Vicia fabaM. trifoliata is sometimes confused with Vicia faba because both have similar leaves. This is likely where the ‘bean’ portion of M. trifoliata’s common name was derived from (Johnson…
Similar species:
Vicia fabaM. trifoliata is sometimes confused with Vicia faba because both have similar leaves. This is likely where the ‘bean’ portion of M. trifoliata’s common name was derived from (Johnson et al. 2005). It differs from other genus’s within the Menyanthaceae in that is the only genus with trifoliate leaves (Heywood, 1978).
Ethnobotanical uses:
The roots of M. trifoliata have been used in Europe as an alternative to hops for making beer (Johnson et al. 2005). They have also been crushed into powder then mixed into flour and have sometimes been boiled with honey to make mead (Johnson et al. 2005). Although, M. trifoliata has been used in foods, when eaten fresh, it has been known to cause diarrhea and vomiting and it is very bitter (Royer and Dickinson, 2007). This bitter taste is a result of a compound called menyanthin (a glucoside) which can be used in medicine to treat fevers (Heywood, 1978).
Range/Distribution
Alberta: Throughout the boreal forests of Alberta but are generally not found in the southeast corner of the province (Moss, 1994).
Outside Alberta: CAN (BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK,…
Alberta: Throughout the boreal forests of Alberta but are generally not found in the southeast corner of the province (Moss, 1994).
Outside Alberta: CAN (BC, LB, MB, NB, NF, NS, NT, NU, ON, PE, QC, SK, YT); USA (AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SD, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY); DEN (GL); FRA(SPM)
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Citation
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Page Citation for Menyanthes trifoliata L.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Menyanthes trifoliata L., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-4037/12-231250. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
Specimen Information
There are 96 specimens of this Species.
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61 results plotted on map in 60 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.