Brasenia schreberi

Native in Florida

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Watershield is a floating-leaved plant, but the long leaf stalks reach all the way to the bottom where they attach to a long creeping root that is anchored in the mud. Watershield is occasionally found in lakes, ponds and slow streams from the northern counties of Florida, south to the central peninsula. It prefers water up to six feet deep. There is just one species of Brasenia in Florida (Wunderlin, 2003). Brasenia schreberi is generously sprinkled throughout the majority of the U.S., including AK; and in Canada (Kartesz, 1999).

Watershield leaves are oval and shield-shaped. Its leaf stalks are attached at the centers of the leaf blades. Its submersed parts and undersides of leaves are covered with a viscous jelly-like substance. Its flowers are small, dull purple, and emerge from the water on a stalk.