Natans
/NAH-tanz/🏷️ Taxonomy●● Intermediate
A habitat and morphological epithet describing a plant that floats on or just below the water surface — leaves or entire plants buoyant on still or slow water. From the present participle of the Latin verb to swim. Appears as natans (both genders).
Etymology
From Latin natans, present participle of natare (to swim, to float), from nare (to swim).
Example
“Potamogeton natans (floating pondweed) and Sparganium natans both have leaves that float flat on the water surface — the epithet capturing the buoyant, aquatic lifestyle of plants perfectly adapted to life on the water surface.”