SPRAYS OF FEATHERY STARS

Described by the 16th century herbalist John Gerard as a “bush of feather-like flowers of a white colour, dasht over slightly with a wash of light carnation”, the aquatic perennial bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata, is identifiable by its fringed, star-shaped flowers, which rise on tall stems above shallow bodies of water, such as fens, bogs and marshes. Its common name derives from its trifoliate leaves, which resemble those of broad beans. Another name, bog hop, refers to the use of the leaves for flavouring beer, commonly in northern England, as an alternative to hops.