Bushy Pondweed, Southern Naiad

(Najas Guadalupensis)

Native

Bushy pondweed has short leaves that are in groups of two or three on the stem with more dense clusters toward the top.

Description

Bushy pondweed is also known as southern naiad. It 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. Bushy pondweed is often confused with sago pondweed, but the leaves on sago pondweed are arranged oppositely in sheaths, while bushy pondweed has leaves arranged oppositely or in whorls.

Location

Bushy pondweed (southern naiad) can be found across the United States.

Propagation

Seeds, fragmentation