brittleleaf naiad	USDA PLANTS Symbol: NAMI U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Aquatic Forbs/Herbs
Najas minor All.

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Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Najadales: Najadaceae
Synonym(s): brittle waternymph, brittleleaf naiad, European naiad, spinyleaf naiad, slender-leaved naiad
Native Range: Asia, N. and trop. Africa ()
Brittleleaf naiad is an annual forb that is native to Europe. The highly branched stems can grow up to 4 ft. (1.2 m) in length and fragment easily, hence the common name. Leaves are opposite, linear, approximately 1 in. (2.5 cm) in length with prominent teeth along the margins. Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer, when small flowers develop in the axils of the leaves. Fruit are single-seeded. Germination of the seeds occurs in early spring. Brittleleaf naiad can be confused with coon's tail (Ceratophyllum spp.), but can be distinguished by the leaf arrangement. The leaves of coon's tail are arranged in whorls of 4 or 5, instead of the opposite arrangement of brittleleaf naiad. This invasive was first collected in the United States in the 1930s.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Invasive Plant Atlas of New England - University of Connecticut

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Plant(s); Troy Evans, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org

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State(s) Where Reported invasive.
Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database.

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Invasive Listing Sources:

Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group

Faith Campbell, 1998

Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council

New Hampshire Invasive Species Committee. 2005. Guide to Invasive Upland Plant Species in New Hampshire. New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food Plant Industry Division and New Hampshire Invasive Species Committee.

Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council

Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation