Water Shield (Brasenia schreberi)

Family: Cabombaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Water Shield is an aquatic plant with slender, branching stems. The Leaves are entire, floating, oval to elliptic in shape, green above, often purple beneath, long-stemmed, and have the stalk or petiole attached to the lower surface instead of the base or edge. The small, purple flowers have sepals and petals that are similar to each other.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Fall, Winter

Flavor & Culinary 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. — 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.; Considered a great delicacy in Japan where they are often bottled and sold in local markets.; They are mainly used in the spring.; A nutritional analysis is available.

Habitat & North American Range

Oligotrophic or mesotrophic ponds, lakes, and sluggish streams from sea level to 2000 metres. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)