Water Shield

Brasenia schreberi

Physical Characteristics

Brasenia schreberi is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 2 m (6ft). It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Beetles, wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

Distribution

N. America - Nova Scotia to Manitoba and Nebraska, south to Florida, Texas and Mexico.

Habitats

Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: The young curled leaf tips, which are coated with a thick transparent mucilage, are eaten as a salad with vinegar, sake and soy sauce, or they added to soups as a thickener[106, 159, 183]. Considered a great delicacy in Japan where they are often bottled and sold in local markets[183]. They are mainly used in the spring[46]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. Root - cooked[2, 106, 177]. Peeled then boiled and eaten, they can also be dried and stored for later use or ground into a powder[183].

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Antidote Astringent Cancer Dysentery Vulnerary The leaves are astringent[240]. They are crushed and applied to abscesses and boils[218], and are also used in the treatment of phthisis and dysentery[240]. A decoction of the seed is antidotal[218]. It is also used in the treatment of dysentery and to relieve thirst[218]. The plant is anthelmintic and vulnerary[152, 178, 218]. It is used in the treatment of cancer[218].

Known Hazards

None known