General:
Perennial aquatic herb from a slender rhizome; stems several, branched above, reddish-brown, covered with a gelatinous sheath, 5-40 cm long.

Leaves:
Leaves floating, long-stalked, elliptic or oval, centrally attached to the stems, 5-12 cm long, 3-8 cm wide, gelatinous below.

Flowers:
Solitary on 5-20 cm stalks; sepals and petals 3 (4) each, similar, purplish, linear-oblong, 10-15 mm long; stamens 12-18, purplish, slightly shorter than or equal to the petals.

Fruits:
Oblong, leathery, 6-8 mm long, soon deciduous.

Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Illustration Source:  The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Brasenia peltata Pursh