Trifoliate buttercup – Meriyanthes trifoliata L.
Otter grass description:
Menyanthes trifoliata L. Meriyrifolia trierianthus triyrifolia trifolia trifoliata (Meriyrifolia trifoliata). It grows in marshy places, where it is an amphibious plant that thrives in both water and dry conditions. Its tuberculate, jointed stems extend horizontally to the bottom of the water or submerged in the mud; small, white, thread-like roots emerge from the spikes; the apex is ascending and develops 1 to 2 elongated inflorescences, usually with 3 to 4 long-tongued leaves. This stem, which grows horizontally, is tubular, i.e. hollow inside and grows to 30-50 cm long and 15 mm thick; it is dark green, lighter underneath and bears the remains of withered leaves. The leaves are thick, fleshy and in two rows; very long-stalked. The leaves are trifoliate, i.e. 3 to 3 ovate leaflets with intact margins (3-10 cm long and 1 to 3,5 cm wide) are arranged side by side at the end of the petiole. The base of the petioles develops as a 5- to 10-cm-long sheath that encloses the stalk of the petioles. The petiole is cylindrical and 6- 16 cm long. Leaf and stem glabrous. The triple leaf of the otter grass resembles that of the clover, hence the name ‘bitter clover ‘. Its flowers form a dense cluster with long stalk. The individual flowers are short-tongued; each flower is supported by a small ivy leaf. The flower has a white pair, edged with pink dots, and is purple on the outside, The pads are funnel-shaped, five-legged, bald on the outside, hairy and bearded on the inside. Otterweed flowers in May-June. Occurrence: Native to all of Europe, otter grass is more a resident of the cooler skies, and a coniferous plant in the south. It is widespread throughout our country and grows in marshy, peaty, boggy meadows, swamps, lakes and on the banks of slow-flowing rivers. Properties and uses: The leaves of the otter grass are odourless and bitter-tasting, hence it is also known as bitter clover (herba trifolli vibrici) and bitter lapwing . Otter grass has antipyretic and digestive tonic properties. Dried leaves of otter grass folia menyanthis or folia and herba trifolli fibrini are used in medicine. Its leaves contain a specific bitter substance (menyanthin), which is used to treat cholelithiasis and stomach upsets, and finally to make an extract (extractum trif. fibrini ). It is used by the people to make a spring drink to strengthen the digestive organs and to make a stomach-strengthening tea. When added to brandy, it has a stomach-strengthening effect, which is why it is used to make bitter gastric spirit . Otter grass is also used in veterinary medicine. The people mix the leaves of the grass with the fodder of fire-fighting sheep to cure them. It is also given to cattle, but if they eat too much of it, their milk takes on a bitter taste from the otter grass. It was also used in beer-making as a substitute for hops. Harvesting: Otter grass leaves should be harvested when the plant is in full growth and in flower, i.e. in the months of May and June. Since other marsh plants that grow in association with it can easily be mixed in, the otterweed picked should be carefully sorted. The perfectly dry leaves are then bagged, sewn up and transported. Source: Béla Páter, The wild herbs