16 



MISC. PUBLICATION 77, U, S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



BOGBEAN 



Menyanthes trifoliata L. (Fig. 25.) 



Other common names. — Buck bean, bog myrtle, bog hop, bog nut, brook bean, 

 bean trefoil, marsh trefoil, water trefoil, bitter trefoil, water shamrock, marsh 

 clover, moonflower, bitterworm. 



Habitat and range. — The bogbean is a northern marsh herb occurring in North 

 America as far south as Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and California. 



Description. — This herb arises from a long, black, creeping, scaly rootstock, 

 the leaves being produced from the end of the same on erect stems measuring 

 about 2 to 10 inches in height. The leaves consist of three somewhat fleshy, 

 smooth leaflets \ x /% to 3 inches long. The flower cluster is produced from May 

 to July on a long, thick, naked stalk arising from the rootstock. It bears from 

 10 to 20 flowers each, with a funnel-shaped tube terminating in five segments 

 which are pinkish purple or whitish on the outside and whitish and bearded on the 

 inside. 



Part used. — The leaves, collected in the spring. In limited demand only. 









v\ 



7 



; 



Figure 25.— Bogbean {Menyanthes trifoliata) 



Figure 26. — Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) 



BONESET 



Eupatorium perfoliatum L. (Fig. 26.) 



Synonym. — Eupatorium connatum Michx. 



Other common names. — Thoroughwort, thorough-stem, thoroughwax, wood 

 boneset, teasel, agueweed, feverwort, sweating plant, crosswort, vegetable anti- 

 mony, Indian sage, wild sage, tearal, wild isaac. 



Habitat and range. — Boneset is a common weed in low, wet ground, along 

 streams, on the edges of swamps, and in thickets from Canada to Florida and west 

 to Texas and Nebraska. 



Description. — This plant is easily recognized by the peculiar arrangement of 

 the leaves, which are opposite each other and joined at the base, making it appear 

 as though they were one with the stem passing through the center. It is erect, 

 growing rather tall, from 1 to 5 feet in height, with rough, hairy, stout stems. 

 The crowded, flat-topped clusters of flowers are produced from about July tc 

 September and consist of small heads of tubular white flowers. 



Part used.— The leaves and flowering tops, collected when the plants are in 

 flower, and stripped from the stalk. In reasonably constant demand. 



