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Schreber's Watershield

Brasenia schreberi

Last reviewed: September 2026

Schreber's Watershield (Brasenia schreberi)
Photo: (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay

Toxicity unknown

Schreber's Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

12"–24" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug

Native to

AL, AR, CA, CT and 35 more states

Pollinators

beetles, flies

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

East Central Texas PlainsSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Water shield is an aquatic perennial with floating, oval leaves that create an elegant carpet on water surfaces. This native plant produces small purple flowers in summer and requires permanent water features like ponds or water gardens to thrive.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Schreber's Watershield takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Requires permanent water feature
  • Not suitable for traditional landscaping
  • May be viewed as pond maintenance issue

Wildlife value

The summer blooms attract beetles and flies for pollination. The floating leaves provide habitat and shelter for aquatic wildlife.

Common questions

How much sun does Schreber's Watershield need?
Schreber's Watershield grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Schreber's Watershield bloom?
Schreber's Watershield blooms in July and August.
Where is Schreber's Watershield native?
Schreber's Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) is native to AL, AR, CA, CT and 35 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Schreber's Watershield attract?
Schreber's Watershield draws beetles and flies.
Is Schreber's Watershield HOA-friendly?
Schreber's Watershield takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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