The name Menyanthes comes from Greek menyein 'disclosing' and anthos 'flower' in reference to the sequential opening of flowers on the inflorescence.

One fossil seed of Menyanthes trifoliata has been extracted from borehole samples of the Middle Miocene fresh water deposits in Nowy Sacz Basin, West Carpathians, Poland.

[6] It is a host plant to the endangered bog buck moth, Hemileuca maia menyanthevora.

[8][citation needed] The British Flora Medica (1845) says about the plant: "The peasants of Westrogothia frequently use the leaves instead of hops for preserving their beer, which is thus rendered of an agreeable flavour as well as defended from acescensy".

Guangdong Xing Yu (1678), a Qing dynasty book by Chiu-Da-Jun, records: "Eat [Menyanthes trifoliata;] makes people sleep well."