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nodding waternymph
Scientific Name: Najas flexilis
Family: Najadaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Najas flexilis: Slender Naiad, Nodding Waternymph
Najas flexilis, commonly known as slender naiad or nodding waternymph, is an aquatic annual plant found in various regions of North America and Europe. This submerged herb plays a role in freshwater and brackish water ecosystems.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Najas flexilis (Willd.) Rostk. & W.L.E. Schmidt
- Family: Najadaceae (Waternymph Family)
- Synonyms:
- Caulinia flexilis
- Najas caespitosa
- Najas flexilis ssp. caespitosa
- Najas flexilis var.
- Common Names: Slender naiad, nodding waternymph, wavy waternymph, northern waternymph
Distribution and Habitat
- Najas flexilis is native to parts of North America and Europe.
- It typically inhabits shallow bodies of brackish and fresh water.
- Specific locations mentioned include Blue Lake and areas within Minnesota, Wisconsin and Manitoba.
- Also documented in lime-leached, slow-moving waters.
Morphological Characteristics
- It is described as a forb/herb, a non-woody plant that is not a grass, with green foliage.
- The plant is found underwater and can range from five centimeters.
- Stems are often profusely branched distally, with internodes measuring 0.16 to 6.8 cm.
- Leaves spread to ascending with age, measuring 0.2 to 0.6 cm.
Additional Information
- Blooms from July to October.
- Fruit/seed period lasts from Summer to Fall.
- Can survive in temperatures above 47F.
Resources
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- Encyclopedia of Life
- PlantSystematics.org
- Gymnosperms.org