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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Brasenia schreberi

Water-shield, Purple Wen-dock

Scientific Name:

Brasenia schreberi

Genus:

Brasenia

Species Epithet:

schreberi

Common Name:

Water-shield, Purple Wen-dock

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Cabombaceae (Water-Shield Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Invasive Status:

(*Key)

Size:

0-1 ft., 1-3 ft., 3-6 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Red, Purple

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Aquatic

Bloom Time:

June, July, August, September, October

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Lakes, ponds, sluggish streams, floodplain oxbow ponds, beaver ponds. Rare in NC mountains and piedmont, common in coastal plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable, S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

State Status:

W6: Watch List: Regionally Rare (*Key)

Notes:

Submerged plant with elliptical leaves floating on the surface. Submerged parts have a slimy coating whose function is unknown.

A pair of functionally male Water-shield blossoms showing pollen-laden stamens.

The Scientific Name is Brasenia schreberi. You will likely hear them called Water-shield, Purple Wen-dock. This picture shows the A pair of functionally male Water-shield blossoms showing pollen-laden stamens.   of Brasenia schreberi

Will Stuart

A pistillate blossom in the lower left and a staminate blossom front and center.

The Scientific Name is Brasenia schreberi. You will likely hear them called Water-shield, Purple Wen-dock. This picture shows the A pistillate blossom in the lower left and a staminate blossom front and center. of Brasenia schreberi

Will Stuart

The underside of a leaf showing the thick gelatinous "slime" that coats the stems.

The Scientific Name is Brasenia schreberi. You will likely hear them called Water-shield, Purple Wen-dock. This picture shows the The underside of a leaf showing the thick gelatinous

Will Stuart

A mass of blossoming Brasenia scherberi covering a sandhills pool in early June, Carolina Sanhills NWR.

The Scientific Name is Brasenia schreberi. You will likely hear them called Water-shield, Purple Wen-dock. This picture shows the A mass of blossoming Brasenia scherberi covering a sandhills pool in early June, Carolina Sanhills NWR. of Brasenia schreberi

Will Stuart

Floating leaves with rhizomes rooted in the mud, growing close to shore. Leaves are elliptical in shape and about 3 inches long.

Nick’s Creek Preserve, Moore County, NC

The Scientific Name is Brasenia schreberi. You will likely hear them called Water-shield, Purple Wen-dock. This picture shows the Floating leaves with rhizomes rooted in the mud, growing close to shore. Leaves are elliptical in shape and about 3 inches long. of Brasenia schreberi

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

NC Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/brasenia-schreberi/

Vascular Plants of NC: https://auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov/flora/plant_list.php

https://nc.audubon.org/700



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