Spiny Naiad
Najas marina

Family: Najadaceae

What it is like

Najas marina is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is in flower from September to November, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). 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): 0.5

Where it is found

Fresh or brackish water. Ponds, lakes and slowly-moving rivers at elevations up to 2700 metres in China. Brackish or highly alkaline waters of ponds and lakes to 1000 metres in America.

Cosmopolitan, found in most areas of the world, including Britain, but absent from colder regions.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young plant - raw.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

A submerged 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. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

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 it in situ in the spring. Division in the growing season.

Best place to grow: Pond;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Water

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

N. major. All.