BUCK-BEAN. , 83 



cate five-petaled, liliac-coloured flowers. Polygonum 

 amphibium is an aquatic species which may be easily 

 transferred to a tank, and which readily flourishes 

 there. Its bright, light-red flower spikes raise them- 

 selves just above the semi-floating leaves, and look 

 very pretty indeed. But of all our British plants 

 affecting moist habitats, surely none is so lovely as 

 the buck-bean (Menyanthes trifoliata). It will not 



Fig. 35- 



Buck-bean {Menyanthes trifoliata). 



flourish in the water, but may be so potted as to grow- 

 on the margin, at the top of rockwork which may be 

 arranged at one end of the tank. In this position its 

 bright deep green trifoliate leaves, and pale pink and 



G 2 



