Wavy Waternymph
Najas flexilis
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Najas_flexilis
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Alismatales
Family
Hydrocharitaceae
Genus
Najas
Wavy Waternymph belongs to the family Hydrocharitaceae, order Alismatales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Wavy Waternymph faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to water pollution, eutrophication, and sedimentation that degrade the clear, nutrient-poor waters it requires. Urban development, agricultural runoff, and invasive species competition have led to dramatic population declines across much of its range. The species' sensitivity to water quality changes makes it particularly vulnerable to ongoing environmental pressures.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Clear, shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, and slow-moving streams with sandy or muddy substrates, typically in oligotrophic to mesotrophic waters. The species grows submerged in depths of 0.5-3 meters, preferring areas with minimal disturbance and low nutrient levels.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Wavy Waternymph faces severe threats from habitat degradation due to water pollution, eutrophication, and sedimentation that degrade the clear, nutrient-poor waters it requires. Urban development, agricultural runoff, and invasive species competition have led to dramatic population declines across much of its range. The species' sensitivity to water quality changes makes it particularly vulnerable to ongoing environmental pressures.
Agricultural runoff and sedimentation
Habitat loss from shoreline development
Water pollution and eutrophication
Climate change affecting water levels
Competition from invasive aquatic plants
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | VUVulnerable | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | VUVulnerable | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Wavy Waternymph (Najas flexilis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/wavy-waternymph