stalk
is attached to the underside near the center. The purple flowers
are approximately 16 mm long and are hard to see.
They have floating leaves and a jelly like coating on the underwater stems and roots. It is found in North America in pond, ditches, sloughs, and edges of slow streams.
Tubers grow on the roots of the water shield. Starchy thickened rootstalks are first peeled then boiled for eating. The rootstalk is also dried for storing, or it can be ground into flour. Partially opened leaves and stems can be used in salads.
