Title: Egeria najas
Description: Slender-leaved elodea
Description: Slender-leaved elodea
lljdma06 - April 16, 2006 07:08 PM (GMT)
Common Name: Slender-leaved elodea, Oxygen weed, anacharis
Scientific Name:: Egeria najas
Geographic origin: South America, but is an invasive weed in some areas
Type of plant (stem, bulb, floating, etc): Stem plant in large tanks, floating in shallow tanks
Lighting requirements: low to very high, adaptable.
Water Chemistry requirements: pH 6.0-7.2, kH 5-15.
Tank Placement: Background
Difficulty Level: Easy
Addition information:
Egeria najas is often confused with Egeria densa, and the two are similar, except the leaves of E. najas show a prominent seration to the leaf edge, whereas the seration in Egeria densa, according to sources, is only viewable under magnification. E. najas also has narrower stems and 5 leaves vs. 4 in densa. E. najas is an undemanding plant that propagates using lateral shoots and cuttings. E. najas thrives with stronger light, CO2 injection, and the addition of nutrients. It will grow under low-light conditions, but the plant is paler and the stems are much thinner. A distinctive feature of this plant is the sharp downward curve of each leaf. This plant, and others in the Egeria genus was used to oxyginate waters in fish farms throughout the world, and as a result, it has spread well beyond its region of origin. It is on obnoxious weed lists in several State, FL included. Egeria najas, is growing in popularity as an alternative to E. densa, and I have found it to be a lovely plant, more resistant to higher temperatures than E. densa. It is also an excellent "algae buster", though I recommend regular trimming.
Scientific Name:: Egeria najas
Geographic origin: South America, but is an invasive weed in some areas
Type of plant (stem, bulb, floating, etc): Stem plant in large tanks, floating in shallow tanks
Lighting requirements: low to very high, adaptable.
Water Chemistry requirements: pH 6.0-7.2, kH 5-15.
Tank Placement: Background
Difficulty Level: Easy
Addition information:
Egeria najas is often confused with Egeria densa, and the two are similar, except the leaves of E. najas show a prominent seration to the leaf edge, whereas the seration in Egeria densa, according to sources, is only viewable under magnification. E. najas also has narrower stems and 5 leaves vs. 4 in densa. E. najas is an undemanding plant that propagates using lateral shoots and cuttings. E. najas thrives with stronger light, CO2 injection, and the addition of nutrients. It will grow under low-light conditions, but the plant is paler and the stems are much thinner. A distinctive feature of this plant is the sharp downward curve of each leaf. This plant, and others in the Egeria genus was used to oxyginate waters in fish farms throughout the world, and as a result, it has spread well beyond its region of origin. It is on obnoxious weed lists in several State, FL included. Egeria najas, is growing in popularity as an alternative to E. densa, and I have found it to be a lovely plant, more resistant to higher temperatures than E. densa. It is also an excellent "algae buster", though I recommend regular trimming.