Blooms Of The Watershield
by Jurgen Lorenzen
Title
Blooms Of The Watershield
Artist
Jurgen Lorenzen
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) is an aquatic, perennial herb with floating leaves that grows in ponds, lakes, and slow moving streams, it is widespread in North America. I captured this image on a farm pond in Summers County, West Virginia.
Although Watershield flowers are not showy, they have an interesting biology. Flower buds develop underwater and are covered with slime. Flowers bloom over a two-day period. On the first day the bud emerges above the water. Sepals and petals open and bend downward. Although stamens and pistils are present in each flower, on the first day of blooming, only the pistils emerge. Stalks of the pistils lengthen and spread outward over the petals. At night, the flower stalk bends and the flowers submerge beneath the water. On the second day, flowers emerge from the water again, but with the pistils retracted. The stamen stalks are lengthened and the anthers open. In this way flowers are cross-pollinated. After blooming, the sepals and petals fold up and submerge. Fruit develops underwater enclosed in the petals and sepals. Fruits are leathery and club shaped with one or two seeds each.
Watershield can be a nuisance, but it does benefit wildlife and has been used by humans. Waterfowl eat this plant and its floating leaves provide shelter for fish and other aquatic organisms. Native Americans reportedly ate its tuberous roots. Young leaves and stems not yet covered in slime are eaten as salad greens in parts of Japan.
Uploaded
August 4th, 2022
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Comments (45)
Karen Adams
There is just something magical about plants growing in water . . . the patterns of these large leaves is so lovely . . . .f/l
Bernadette Krupa
Jurgen, marvelous photo ... love it "Blooms Of The Watershield"! Congrats on multiple Features 2022 - Appalachia America, Mid-Atlantic State and Go Take a Hike Photography!! L/F
Holly April Harris
These are gorgeous and nicely photographed! Beautiful! Congratulations! I am very pleased to feature your image in the Appalachia America group. It is a fantastic addition to the group! Please add it to the “2022 Third Quarter Featured Images Collection” thread in the discussions area for a permanent record of your feature. Thank you! 9/28/22
Kathi Isserman
CONGRATULATIONS your EXCEPTIONAL image has been FEATURED on the HOME PAGE of Mid-Atlantic States of the USA. Please add this to the discussion 2022 “FEATURED IMAGE ARCHIVE THREAD.” L Thank you for participating in the group.
Larry Kniskern
Congratulations, Jurgen – your circular pattern has been featured by the Go Take a Hike Photography Group! Feel free to add it to the 2022 Featured Images thread in the group discussion board for archive.