Introduction

• Brasenia schreberi is a perennial aquatic plant with floating, peltate leaves and rhizomatous stems.
• It is identified by its bright green leaves, small purple flowers that bloom from June through September, and a thick mucilage that covers all of the underwater organs, including the underside of the leaves, stems, and developing buds.
• Brasenia schreberi exhibits wind pollination. The flowers have a two-day blooming period.
• Brasenia schreberi is cultivated as a vegetable in China
• The mucilage it produces has been found to have anti-algal and anti-bacterial properties that may be useful as a natural weed control.