Stem: Arise from submersed, branching, reddish creeping rhizomes.

Flower: The 5-20 cm long flower stalks each bear a single purplish flower with 3 sepals and 3 (4) similar-looking petals. Each flower measures up to 2.5 cm across and is elevated slightly above the water surface. Blooms May to September.

Fruit: Each flower produces 4-18 separate narrowly egg-shaped, leathery fruits between 6-8 mm long. Each fruit usually contains 2 seeds. They ripen underwater and decay to release seeds.

Root: Slender, branched, creeping rhizomes.

Propagation: Rhizomes, seeds, winter buds.

Importance of plant: The rhizomes and leaves have been used for food and medicinal purposes by Native Americans. The Japanese use the young leaves and stems in salads. Provides habitat for fish and aquatic insects; seeds and vegetation are eaten by waterfowl.

Distribution: Throughout most of the United States and southern Canada. Also occurs in Central America, Cuba, Africa, East Asia and Australia.

Habitat: Shallow ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. It grows in water 0.5-3 m deep.

May be confused with: Fragrant water-lily (Nymphaea odorata), some floating-leaved pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.), or yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata) but only water-shield is covered by a slimy coating with the stem attached at the center of an oval leaf. Water-lilies have showy white or pink flowers and leaves cleft to the stalk. Floating-leaved pondweeds have the stem attached at the leaf edge and yellow floating heart has yellow flowers with fringed edges. 

Photographs: Brasenia schreberi, closeup showing flowers

Line Drawings: Brasenia schreberi