Buckbean
Menyanthes trifoliata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Aleutian Is., Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Labrador, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States, Virgin Islands
Arnstein Rønning
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Menyanthaceae
- Genus:
- Menyanthes
- Species:
- Menyanthes trifoliata
- USDA Symbol:
- METR3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Allen's Aphelia (Aphelia alleniana), Munroessa icciusalis, Nevada buckmoth (Hemileuca nevadensis-complex)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, waterlogged soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in bogs and marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days; sow on moist peat surface and keep warm after stratification.
Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for an unspecified time period. They are overwintered in covered plastic containers filled with water, going through several freeze-thaw cycles until Spring.
Establishment: Seed is collected in early summer and stored in containers of water. It is important not to let the seed dry out. The plant is found in various environments including marshes, fens, bogs, and lakes.
Source: npn.rngr.net