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Great Lakes Center, SAMC 319
SUNY Buffalo State
1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222

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Photo by Graves Lovell, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bugwood.org

Brittle Naiad

COMMON NAME:

Brittle naiad

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Najas minor

ORIGIN:

Europe, Africa and Asia

DESCRIPTION:

Brittle naiad is an herbaceous annual that grows in dense clusters. Its leaves have visible serrations and are long, pointed and oppositely arranged on highly branched stems. The plant can reproduce from stem fragments, or from small seeds which grow along its stem.

ECOLOGY
RESOURCES
DISTRIBUTION

HABITAT:

Brittle naiad is most often found in ponds, lakes, reservoirs and slow-moving streams, typically in water of depths 2-15 ft.

THREAT:

Thick infestations of brittle naiad inhibit the growth of native aquatic plants and can make fishing and boating access difficult. This plant is extremely brittle and has the tendency to break off, increasing the likelihood for it to spread via boats, waterfowl and water currents. Waterfowl readily eat and move this plant from water-body to water-body.

MANAGEMENT:

Limited information is available on the management of brittle naiad. Prevention is the most effective control.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

Tier 4 - Local Control

Invasive Species Priorities - Tier Chart

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

There are no additional resources at this time.

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Common

MAP (via iMapInvasives):

This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.