Egeria najas

Egeria najas comes from central and southern South America. It occurs partly in the same area as Egeria densa, but is also distributed further north into the tropical zone of Brazil and Paraguay. As a submerged plant it colonises various waters such as lakes and rivers.

The naiad-like waterweed has not been common as an aquarium plant for as long as the dense-leaved waterweed (E. densa). It is, however, an attractive stem plant that makes virtually no demands on the aquarist and also tolerates more warmth than E. densa.

Scientifically, Egeria najas has been known just as long as E. densa; both species were described in 1849 by J. E. Planchon, who established the genus Egeria. Altogether three Egeria species are distinguished today. The third species is E. heterostemon, which was described in 2001 and is not yet in aquarium cultivation.

The leaves of E. najas stand close together; they are narrower and more distinctly toothed than the leaves of E. densa. The species can possibly be confused with Hydrilla verticillata. For distinguishing between the different waterweed species see the description of Egeria densa.

- To be continued -

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