Western Isles Wildflowers

Western Isles wildflowers is a collection of information about our Hebridean wildflowers including identification hints, traditional herbal uses and general plant lore.

 

Bogbean

(Buckbean, Marsh Trefil, Water Trefoil, Marsh Clover)

Menyanthes trifoliata

Gaelic name: Trì-bhileach, Pònair Chapaill

Bogbean is an aquatic plant with large leaves like those of a broad-bean plant.
Both leaves and flowers are held above the water.

This plant is common in watery bogs and shallow inland lochs, turning vast areas pink-white with it's star-like flowers in the early spring.

Traditional Uses

This is a well known herb for the skin. The root of bogbean (simmered for up to 8 hours) has been used locally as part of a preparation for Psoriasis, a chronic (long - lasting) skin disease characterized by scaling and inflammation.

It was used in olden times for scurvey and as a tobacco.

In South Uist a decoction made from dried bogbean was used taken first thing in the morning to treat headaches.

Uig - Isle of Lewis - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles) 4th June, 2006
(In full flower on 10th June, 2006)

Detail Photography © Kim Park, notes by Ela Springwater

Visit Kim's web site of her photography of the Western Isles
www.bigbigskies.co.uk