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Brasenia schreberi - (image 1 of 7)

Taxonomy

Family: Cabombaceae

This genus is monospecific.

Habitat

Clear lakes and ponds. Open bogs.

Associates

Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Myriophyllum exalbescens, Nuphar advena, Nyphaea odorata ssp. tuberosa, Pontederia cordata, Potamogeton pectinatus, Utricularia vulgaris

Distribution

Nova Scotia and eastern Quebec west to MN, south to FL and TX. Also occurs on the Pacific slope, Tropical America, and in the Old World.

Morphology

Elliptic floating leaves attached in the middle to submerged stems to 2 m. Lower surface of leaf and stem covered in a clear and extremely slippery coating. Flowers dull purple-red on stout peduncles to 15 cm; sepals and petals persistent; petals 12-16 mm, the sepals somewhat shorter; stamens 12-18 or up to 36; filament of 2 lengths; pistils 4-8.

Notes

Flowers late June to late July.

Wetland Indicator: Obligate

The underside of the leaf is coated with a thick slime, making them very slippery.

References

Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed.
The New York Botanical Garden. Bronx, NY

Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois

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