genusNajas

Najas marina

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 2: 1015. 1753..

Common names: Spiny naiad
Illustrated
Synonyms: Najas gracilis (Morong) Small
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 22.

Stems branched distally, 6–45 cm × 0.5–4 mm; internodes 0.3–11 cm, usually with prickles. Leaves spreading to ascending with age, 0.5–3.9 cm, stiff in age; sheaths 2–4.4 mm wide, apex acute; blade 0.4–4.5 mm wide, margins coarsely serrate, teeth 8–13 per side, apex acute, with 1 tooth, teeth multicellular; midvein with prickles abaxially. Flowers 1 per axil, staminate and pistillate on different plants. Staminate flowers in distal to proximal axils, 1.7–3 mm; involucral beaks 2-lobed, 0.3–0.7 mm; anthers 4-loculed, 1.7–3 mm. Pistillate flowers in distal to proximal axils, 2.5–5.7 mm; styles 1.2–1.7 mm; stigmas 3-lobed. Seeds not recurved, reddish brown, ovoid, 2.2–4.5 × 1.2–2.2 mm, apex with style situated at center; testa dull, 10–15 cell layers thick, pitted; areoles irregularly arranged, not in distinctive rows, not ladderlike, 3–4-angled, longer than broad, end walls slightly raised. 2n = 12 (Europe).


Phenology: Flowering summer–fall.
Habitat: Brackish or highly alkaline waters of ponds and lakes
Elevation: 0–1000 m

Distribution

V22 492-distribution-map.jpg

Ariz., Calif., Fla., Ind., Mich., Minn., Nev., N.Y., N.Dak., Ohio, Pa., S.Dak., Tex., Utah, Wis., Mexico, West Indies, Central America (El Salvador, Panama), South America, Eurasia.

Discussion

With its prickly internodes and prickles along the abaxial surface of the leaves, Najas marina is the easiest of our Najas to recognize. Over its entire range, the species displays considerable morphologic variability (L. Triest et al. 1986), giving cause for ten subspecies to be recognized (L. Triest 1988). In North America, however, variability is relatively minor, so I am recognizing the taxon at the specific level only (R. R. Haynes 1979). The species should be studied over its entire range, utilizing a variety of approaches, to determine adequately what, if any, infraspecific taxa should be recognized.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Najas marina"
Robert R. Haynes +
Linnaeus +
Spiny naiad +
Ariz. +, Calif. +, Fla. +, Ind. +, Mich. +, Minn. +, Nev. +, N.Y. +, N.Dak. +, Ohio +, Pa. +, S.Dak. +, Tex. +, Utah +, Wis. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America (El Salvador +, Panama) +, South America +  and Eurasia. +
0–1000 m +
Brackish or highly alkaline waters of ponds and lakes +
Flowering summer–fall. +
stuckey1985a +, triest1986a +  and viinikka1973a +
Illustrated +
Najas gracilis +
Najas marina +
species +