Brasenia schreberi: Country Or Region Of Origin
Africa, Temp. & Subtropical Asia, E. Australia, America
Plant Profile: Brasenia schreberi
Taxonomy: Brasenia schreberiNames
Purple Wen-dock, Water Shield, Water Target
Phonetic Spelling:brah-SEE-nee-uh shre-BER-ee
Genus:Brasenia
Species:schreberi
Family:Cabombaceae
This plant is similar to water lilies (Nymphaeaceae) as it can be found either submerged or floating on the water's surface. It features a trailing rootstock and thrives in various water depths, ranging from 1 inch to 6 feet, although it flourishes best at the water's edge where the depth is between 8 to 10 inches. Its roots are anchored in the mud of shallow waters.
Brasenia schreberi Feature Summary
Brasenia schreberi Image Gallery
Tags
#purple
#red
#water garden
#purple flowers
#red flowers
#water plant
#food source
#NC native
#floating flowers
#floating leaf
#floating aquatic
#aquatic plant
#food source summer
#food source fall
#Coastal OBL
#Piedmont Mountains OBL
#food source hard mast fruit
#audubon
Similar Plants
Brasenia schreberi is often confused with:
Brasenia schreberi Feature Summary
Attributes
Africa, Temp. & Subtropical Asia, E. Australia, America
Perennial
Flowers
This plant has purple/ red, 3-petaled, and 0.5-in. flowers on the water surface. Flowers close at night.
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
Summer
Fall
2-3 rays/petals
< 1 inch
Leaves
This plant has floating oval leaves (2.5 in.) borne on long petioles. The underside of leaves has a gelatinous coating.
Green
1-3 inches
Slippery
Stem
Underside of leaf and stem have a gel-like coating.
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Native Plant
Water Plant
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Frequent Standing Water
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Fruit
Summer
Fall
Landscape
Water Garden
Brasenia schreberi Image Gallery
Brasenia schreberi Attributes
Brasenia schreberi: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Brasenia schreberi Flowers
Brasenia schreberi: Flower Description
This plant has purple/ red, 3-petaled, and 0.5-in. flowers on the water surface. Flowers close at night.
Brasenia schreberi: Flower Color
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
Brasenia schreberi: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Brasenia schreberi: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Brasenia schreberi: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Brasenia schreberi Leaves
Brasenia schreberi: Leaf Description
This plant has floating oval leaves (2.5 in.) borne on long petioles. The underside of leaves has a gelatinous coating.
Brasenia schreberi: Leaf Color
Green
Brasenia schreberi: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Brasenia schreberi: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Brasenia schreberi: Leaf Feel
Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy
Brasenia schreberi Stem
Brasenia schreberi: Stem Description
Underside of leaf and stem have a gel-like coating.
Brasenia schreberi: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Brasenia schreberi Whole Plant Traits
Brasenia schreberi: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Brasenia schreberi Cultural Conditions
Brasenia schreberi: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Brasenia schreberi: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Brasenia schreberi: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Brasenia schreberi Fruit
Brasenia schreberi: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Brasenia schreberi Landscape
Brasenia schreberi: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Brasenia schreberi: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
