4-14 Najadaceae, water-nymph family

Abstract

Another small family of submerged aquatic herbs, this one too includes a single genus, of 35 species found throughout the world. Most are annuals producing filiform and opposite or whorled leaves. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, borne in the leaf axils in clusters or singly. Species are monoecious, flowers staminate or pistillate. The single anther of the staminate flower is surrounded by a membraneous involucre. Pistillate flowers are reduced to a solitary pistil but no involucre. Image use provided by Roger Lloyd.