Najas minor is an annual submerged, rooted aquatic herb, stems 10-20 cm long, very slender, to 0.1 cm thick.
Leaves opposite, 0.5-3.5 cm long, to 0.02 cm wide, needle-thin, margins minutely toothed, base expanded into a short sheath, margin fringed (use lens).
Flowers very small, inconspicuous solitary in axil, unisexual (monoecious); male flowers with solitary anther; female flower with solitary ovary, one ovule, 2-4 elongate stigmas.
Fruit single seed, purplish, to 0.3 cm long.
Wetland status: OBL.
Frequency in NYC: Very infrequent, but probably more common than indicated by collection.
Origin: Eurasia, Africa.
Habitat: Alkaline or high nutrient water, pH 6.3-7.2 quiet ponds.