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Species Image Gallery (opens in a new window) |
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| THE WATER-NYMPH FAMILY | |||||||||
| The water-nymphs are aquatic herbs. These plants are usually anchored to the soil by fibrous roots. The stems are branched and in some species, are armed with prickles. The leaves are opposite or whorled and have faintly to coarsely toothed margins. The plants can have male and female flowers on the same plant or on different plants, depending on the species. The flowers are tiny and are found in the axils of the leaves. The male flowers have one anther, surrounded by a membranous envelope. This envelope is then surrounded by sepals. The female flowers may or may not have sepals. The fruit is single-seeded and dry. | |||||||||
| NODDING WATERNYMPH | |||||||||
| LATIN NAME: Najas flexilis | |||||||||
| WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? | |||||||||
| Nodding waternymph is found underwater. It can be anywhere from five to 30 cm long and is anchored to the soil by fibrous roots. The stems are generally densely tufted. The leaves are clustered at the tips of the stems and are linear in shape. If taken out of the water, the leaves are limp. The male flowers consist of one anther enclosed in a membranous envelope. The female flowers are made of a single pistil. Both types of flowers are found on the same plant in the axils of the leaves. The fruits are olive-green to reddish achenes. | |||||||||
| WHERE DOES IT GROW? | |||||||||
| Nodding waternymph grows as a submersed aquatic in shallow waters of ponds, protected lake bays, and quiet streams. | |||||||||
| WHERE IS IT FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN? | |||||||||
| This species is found in central Saskatchewan in the Moist Mixed Grassland, Boreal Transition, Mid-Boreal Lowland, Mid-Boreal Upland, and Churchill River Upland ecoregions. | |||||||||
| WHY IS IT RARE? | |||||||||
| Nodding waternymph is threatened in Saskatchewan because it is rare or uncommon. It is only somewhat regionally restricted but local populations tend to be small. Because of its aquatic nature, this plant may be frequently overlooked and underreported. No threats are known or anticipated at this time. | |||||||||
| HOW TO IDENTIFY NODDING WATERNYMPH | |||||||||
| * Does the plant grow underwater? * Are the flowers tiny and in the leaf axils? * Are the leaves clustered at the ends of the stems? * Did you find it in central Saskatchewan? | |||||||||
| If you answered yes to all of these questions, you may have found nodding waternymph! | |||||||||
