Bitter clover

The bitter clover (Menyanthes trifoliata), also known as fever clover, a swamp or water plant, is the only plant species of the genus Menyanthes in the family of fever clover plants (Menyanthaceae). The bitter clover is widespread in the northern hemisphere. It grows as a perennial, herbaceous plant in marshy freshwater zones. The plant reaches a height of up to 30 cm. The leaves are elliptical and have entire margins. The bitter clover shoots from the end of April to June, small pink flowers up to 1.5 cm in size. From these, capsule fruits with a diameter of 6 to 7 mm develop.

Bitter clover is the parent plant of Menyanthidis trifoliatae folium, also Folia Menyanthidis or bitter clover leaves, the dried whole or crushed leaves. The drug "bitter clover leaves" is positively monographed by the Commission E as well as the ESCOP.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/bitterklee.php
2. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 82-83