Brasenia sp.
Watershield, Watershield
(c) Sam Kieschnick, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Sam Kieschnick · licence
Family: Cabombaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Brasenia sp. (Watershield) is a non-native California perennial in the Cabombaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Nymphaea: Brasenia leaves attach at the center and have slimy undersides; waterlily leaves have a V-notch to the center and no slime.; vs Cabomba: Brasenia has simple oval floating leaves; Cabomba has feathery, finely-divided underwater leaves.; vs Peltandra: Brasenia has oval floating leaves with thick slime on all submerged parts; Peltandra has arrow-shaped leaves rising above water with no slime.; vs Nymphoides: Brasenia leaves attach at the center and feel slimy underneath; Nymphoides leaves have a V-notch and are never slimy.; vs Hydrocotyle: Brasenia leaves float flat on water with slimy undersides; Hydrocotyle leaves rise above water on stiff stalks with no slime.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brasenia sp. native to California?
No. Brasenia sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Brasenia sp. belong to?
Brasenia sp. is in the Cabombaceae family, genus Brasenia.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.