Description
Bogbean (buckbean) is a plant of the bogbean family reaching up to 30 cm in height. It grows in North America, Europe and Asia. In Poland it occurs in the lowlands and can be found in wet meadows, ditches, drying-up ponds and by lakes. Since 2001 it has been partially protected.
A perennial with a thick, cylindrical rhizome and leafless stems topped with a raceme of flowers. It has only basal leaves, which are slightly fleshy, sheathing, long-stalked and three-lobed. The flowers have a slightly fleshy, white or pinkish, funnel-shaped corolla whose petals are covered on the inside with juicy white hairs, giving them a fringed look. It is an ornamental park plant for the edges of ponds. A more ornamental variety looks best in large groups and has striking leaves with cream streaks on a green background that keep their colour all season.
Bogbean leaves are harvested while the plant is in flower. They are odourless but bitter. Bogbean contains bitter compounds, glycosides, tannins and minerals – manganese, iodine and iron. Traditionally it has been used for the digestive system: it is said to stimulate gastric secretions, speed up digestion and support the liver and gall bladder, to help cleanse the blood and stimulate the appetite. It has also been used for pain, migraine and scurvy, and in folk medicine for menstrual complaints, anaemia, skin conditions, rickets, rheumatism and even jaundice, and to strengthen general resistance. Externally it has been used to wash ulcers and slow-healing wounds.
Requirements
Bogbean likes a muddy bottom and slightly acidic water.
Propagation
Propagate in spring by dividing the rhizome.
Care
Plant it 15–30 cm deep, in a sunny or partially shaded position. It flowers from May to June. It can be planted alongside marsh marigold, purple loosestrife and arrowhead.