Menyanthes trifoliata

Menyanthes trifoliata, also known as water shamrock or bogbean, is a semi-aquatic perennial plant with creeping rhizomes. It bears deciduous leaves divided into three beautiful green leaflets. The flowers appear in spring, in the form of loose clusters of blooms with a pinkish dorsal side and a whitish inner side bordered by long white hairs. It thrives in muddy areas near water where it can colonise a significant surface.

Water shamrock or Bogbean is an herbaceous plant belonging to the family Menyanthaceae. It is the only species in its genus. Its natural habitat is very extensive, covering Europe, northern Asia, the northwest of India, and North America. It is an aquatic plant with creeping rhizomes. It can reach a height of 30 cm (12in). The flowers appear from April to June. The pearl-like pink buds open into white-pink flowers, covered with long cilia, measuring from 12 to 18 mm (1in) in diameter, and are grouped in clusters 20 to 40 cm (8 to 16in) tall. The deciduous foliage is composed of leaves divided into 3 leaflets, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) long, at the end of a long petiole. The plant develops from a stump with fleshy and creeping rhizomes.

Grow water clover in shallow water (15-23 cm (6-9in)) or on floodable banks. Plant it in a basket filled with ordinary soil, in full sun, under 5 cm (2in) to 30 cm (12in) of water. However, it sometimes prefers siliceous (sandstone, granite) or clay-limestone, rich soils. It thrives in cold waters.

Menyanthes trifoliata is often found in ponds, marshes, pools, ditches, containers, banks. The large clover-like leaves, thick and raised above the water can hide the abrupt overflow of water sources but it can also be placed in under an artificial waterfall, which will enhance the beauty of the vegetation.  This plant does not need to be confined to still water.

Cattle graze on water clover although the bitterness of the leaves is often harmful to them. It has sometimes been used as a substitute for hops in beer production. The leaves have recognized medicinal properties, and the rhizomes are consumed by the Inuit people in the form of flour.