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Water Shield
Brasenia schreberi
ジュンサイ
A perennial aquatic plant growing in lakes and ponds throughout Japan. Characterized by small elliptical floating leaves and a gelatinous mucilage covering the stems and young leaves. The young shoots are a prized delicacy traded as 'junsai,' used in salads and clear soups.
Identification Points
- ✓Small elliptical floating leaves (5–10 cm in diameter)
- ✓Stems and young leaves coated with transparent gelatinous mucilage
- ✓Small pale pinkish-purple flowers borne above the water surface
Habitat
Ponds and lakes (water depth approximately 50 cm to 2 m)
Season
May–September (flowers), June–July (young shoot harvest)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf shape
Round
Habitat
Aquatic
Petal count
6 petals
Stipules
Absent
Ovary position
Superior
Plant sex
Hermaphrodite
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionジュンサイ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Basal angiosperms > Nymphaeales > Cabombaceae
Divergence Era
Early to mid-Cretaceous (ca. 100–90 Ma)
Evolution Notes
Cabombaceae is an early-diverging lineage of Nymphaeales, one of the most primitive angiosperm families. The gelatinous mucilage is thought to serve as a defense against insect and microbial attachment.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification