Dendrology of the Tolowa Dunes State Park 1 | Page 53

Map Courtesy of USGS USGS

Brasenia schreberi

water shield

Habitat:

Watershield is an aquatic, perennial herb with floating leaves that grows in ponds, lakes, and slow moving streams. It is widespread in North America (Randall et al 1988).

perennial plant with small, floating oval to elliptical leaves to 5 inches in diameter with no slit; has distinctive gelatinous slime on the underside of the leaves . Leaves are green above reddish-purple below. Stems attach at the center of the leaves. Flowers are small 9 1/2" to 3/4", dull-reddish in color and consist of 3 to 4 sepals and petals. Water shield tends to be found in soft, acidic waters and can form large colonies (Randall et al 1988).