Minnesota Wildflowers


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Brasenia schreberi (Water-shield)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Brasenia
Family:Cabombaceae (Water-shield)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:part shade, sun; mucky soil, ponds, slow moving water
Bloom season:June - August
Plant height:to 7 feet deep water
County distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower: Flower shape: 6-petals

[photo of flower] A single flower ¾ inch across on a stout naked stalk rising up to 4 inches above the water surface. Flowers typically have 3 (sometimes 4) downward curved petals and an equal number of sepals slightly smaller in size and of similar shape and color. In the center are numerous erect stamens. Color ranges from dull purplish brown to pinkish red.

Leaves and stems: Leaf attachment: alternate Leaf type: simple

[photo of leaves] Leaves are waxy green, purplish on the underside, oval to elliptic, to 5 inches long and half as wide, geometrically centered on long stalks alternately attached on the upper portion of the submerged stem. Leaves float flat on water surface. Underwater stems are covered with a mucilaginous (snot-like) jelly.

Notes:

Water-shield is a smaller aquatic surface species, not as common as the white water lily (Nymphaea odorata) or the yellow bullhead lily (Nuphar variegata) but is often found interspersed among these species when present. Beyond lakes in the seven county metro, its range generally coincides with lakes within the coniferous forest biome of Minnesota.

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Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos courtesy Peter M. Dziuk, taken along a roadside lake on Hwy 65 in the Big Sandy Lake area of Aitkin county

Comments

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