Southern Naiad (Bushy Pondweed)

(Najas guadalupensis)

(bushy pondweed, guppy grass)

Native

Southern naiad has short leaves in groups of two or three on the stem with more dense clusters toward the top.

Description

Southern naiad has leaves that are dark green to greenish purple, ribbon like, opposite or in a whorl of three, mostly less than a half inch long and one-eighth inch wide. Flowers are at the base of the leaves but are so small that they can only be observed with magnification.

 

Southern naiad is often confused with sago pondweed, but the leaves on sago pondweed are arranged oppositely in sheaths, while southern naiad has leaves arranged oppositely or in whorls.

Location

Southern naiad can be found across the United States.

Propagation

fragments, seeds