Najas flexilis (Willd.) Rostk. & Schmidt
wavy water nymph (nodding waternymph)
Najadaceae (Water-nymph family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
wavy water nymph (nodding waternymph)
Najadaceae (Water-nymph family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Species Information
General:
Perennial aquatic herb from a fibrous root; stems much branched, submersed, 30-150 cm long, about 1 mm thick.
Leaves:
Basal leaves lacking; stem leaves linear, 1-3 cm long, about 0.5 mm wide, in nearly opposite pairs, the base expanded for 3-5 mm and more or less sheathing, the margins minutely toothed, tapering continuously to the slender tips.
Flowers:
Inflorescence solitary or a pair of unstalked or nearly unstalked, axillary, unisexual flowers; perianth parts lacking; male flowers with 1-chambered anthers.
Fruits:
Achenes, spindle-shaped, about 3 mm long, smooth.
Illustration
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
USDA Species Characteristics
Flower Colour:
Green
Blooming Period:
Late Summer
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Green
Present from Summer to Fall
Source: The USDA
Ecology
Ecological Framework for Najas flexilis
The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)
The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)
| Site Information |
Value / Class |
||
|
Avg |
Min |
Max |
|
| Elevation
(metres) |
|||
| Slope
Gradient (%) |
|||
|
Aspect (degrees) |
0 | ||
| Soil
Moisture Regime (SMR) [0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic; 8 - hydric] |
|||
| Modal
Nutrient Regime
Class |
|||
| #
of field plots species was recorded in: |
17 | ||
| Modal
BEC Zone Class |
CWH | ||
|
All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in |
CDF(5), CWH(12) | ||
|
Source:
Klinkenberg 2013
|
|||
Habitat and Range
Ponds and marshes in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent in S BC south of 53degreeN, rare northward in E BC to 55degreeN, rare on the Queen Charlotte Islands, E to NF and S to MA, CT, VA. KY, MO, NE, AZ and CA.Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Caulinia flexilis Willd.
Najas caespitosa (Maguire) Reveal
Najas flexilis subsp. caespitosa Maguire
Najas flexilis var. congesta Farw.
Najas flexilis var. robusta Morong