Buckbean
	Menyanthes trifoliata
	n = 2
	III.B.3.c.  Subarctic Lowland Herb Bog Meadow
	Ecosystem: Relict Drainageway / Lakebed, Depression, Kettle

This type is well documented in Alaska.

The two sites sampled were both found at lake marginal floating mats on kettles near Niskiski.  However, buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) will dominate on the Kenai lowlands anywhere water-logged peat occurs: in the central portion of a large relict drainageway; in deeper water than the tall cottongrass – livid sedge community in a flark (small pool) on a relict lakebed; or at the edge of a central pool in a depression.  Emergent plant communities like this one are often under-sampled because foot travel on them is precarious.  

Buckbean is one of only a few plants which emerge from submerged peat, although water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) and marsh fivefinger (Comarum palustre) are common low abundance associates. 

The peat mat is usually greater than a meter thick, and is typically found floating over open water.  The water table is at or above the surface. The pH is strongly to very strongly acid; at the two sites measured it was 5.1 and 4.8.

Table 1.  Summary of plant frequency and average cover for plants occurring in both plots.

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