Water shield, Water Target
Brasenia schreberi

Family: Cabombaceae

What it is like

A water plant. It is a herb. It has runners or stolons and underground stems or rhizomes. It keeps growing from year to year. It forms roots at the nodes. The leaves float. The leaf stalk join to the centre of the leaf. The leaves are 5 cm long and 8 cm wide. The leaf stalk is up to 2 m long. The stems, leaf stalks and leaves under the water have a slimy covering. The leaves are often red underneath. The flowers occur singly. They are in the axils of leaves and they float.

There is only one Brasenia species. It has also been put in the family Nymphaceae.

Where it is found

It grows in the subtropics. It grows in quiet water. It grows in ponds with muddy bottoms. It grows in wetlands. It does better in acid water conditions. It needs good light. It is best in water 20-25 cm deep. It grows best between 20°C and 30°C. In India it grows between 1,200-1,800 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Angola, Asia, Australia, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Central Africa, Central America, China, Cuba, East Africa, Guatemala, Guyana, Himalayas, India, Japan, Kenya, Korea, North America, Russia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Taiwan, Tanzania, Uganda, USA, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The newly emerged leaves can be added to salads. They can be cooked as a green. The tubers can be boiled and eaten. They can be dried and ground into flour.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is used in soups for banquets.

Edible parts

Leaves, roots, vegetable

How it is grown

It can be grown by dividing the underground rhizome. It can also be grown from long cuttings of actively growing plants.

Its other names

Local names

Junsai, Masamorra, Pong, Xin ga la mo

Synonyms

Brasenia purpurea (Michx.) Casp.; Hydropeltis purpurea Michx.; Brasenia peltata Pursh.;