I;i2 MEDICINAL HERBS AND TOISOXOUS PLANTS 



BoG-BEAX or BucK-BEAX (Menyuuthes trlfoliata). 

 riiis fhvfller in the marshes is easily recognized. 



1. The large ternate leaves Iia\-e a distinctive charac- 



ter: the stem is overtopped by large leaves each 

 composed of three leaflets (fig. 76). 



2. The flowers in bud are of a brio-ht rose-colour, 



O 



but appear white when fully expanded, the inner 

 surface of the petals being wliite. Further, each 



petal has an elegant fringe of white jilavicntf<. 



The medicinal value 

 of Bogr-bean leaves is 

 very great, as tliey 

 are bitter without 

 being;: astringent: the 

 bitterness Is due to 

 the presence of a 

 glucoHide called meny- 

 anthin. It is said that 

 2 oz. of dried leaves 

 are equivalent to 1 lb. 

 of hops for brewing 

 purposes. Medicinally 

 the Bog-bean is eui- 

 ploj^ed as a tonic and 

 a purgative. 



Before the War we 

 imported about 5 tons 

 of the phint, the bulk 



from Ger- 

 many; as this source 

 is now cut ofl', the 



*'ig. 76.— Boj,'-!jeau {Menyanthes tn'/oUata) 



fi, .Sectiun of capsule showinji seeds. 6, Ovary 

 and style, with calyx-teeth Tielow. 



comnig 



present supplies come 

 from English aTid Irisli sources. Its price to-day is more 

 than treble what it was before the War, wlien it fetched 



