Nodding waternymph
Najas flexilis
Family: Najadaceae
What it is like
Najas flexilis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from August to September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Water. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It can grow in water.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Shallow fresh or brackish water. Lakes and rivers; from sea level to 1500 metres in America.
Nrthwestern Europe, including Britain. #eastern and western N. America.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Young shoots - raw or cooked. They are eaten like watercress.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The plant is used as packing material to protect items packed in crates etc. The plant can also be used as a fertilizer.
Fertilizer: Provides a concentrated solid plant food.
Packing: Used as a filler in boxes etc in order to protect the contents.
How it is grown
A water plant, succeeding in shallow fresh or brackish water. This is one of the few genera of plants where fertilization takes place under the surface of the water.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in situ as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Otherwise store the seed in water in a cool place and sow in situ in the spring.
Best place to grow: Pond;
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Water