Najas sp. "Roraima"

Najas sp. "Roraima" is a still unidentified water nymph from the Brazilian state Roraima. It was probably first introduced in the market from Japan, and it was only imported to Europe recently (2009?). Its leaves are rigid, curving, with a serrate margin, its stems ramify readily, and the plant is not as brittle and invasive as e.g. Najas guadalupensis. It resembles Najas indica a little. This plant's compact growth makes it especially decorative, as well as the dark brown colour of the leaf serra that gives the leaves a dotted pattern on light green to reddish-brown ground. The shoot tips may assume a wine-red hue under intensive light.

This Najas from Roraima does not form many roots, just like the other species of the genus. It grows freely floating just under the water surface as well as planted into the ground, and it can also be stuck in crevices in rocks or driftwood.

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