Menyanthaceae have much in common with Gentianaceae and formerly were considered a part of that family. Menyanthes is a monotypic genus, that is, there are no species other than M. trifoliata. Bogbeans is a well-known medicinal plant equally popular in traditional and official medicine. Menyanthes is a Greek name, its meaning emphasizing the fact that flowers go into bloom gradually within the inflorescence.