Floating Crystalwort
CR

Floating Crystalwort

Riccia fluitans

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riccia_fluitans

Overview

Riccia fluitans, the floating crystalwort, is an aquatic floating plant of the liverwort genus Riccia which is popular among aquarists as a retreat for young fry and is used in live-bearing tanks. It can be found floating in ponds, and often forms thick mats on and under the water surface.

Floating Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans) faces severe decline due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Water pollution, eutrophication, and drainage of wetlands have eliminated many suitable aquatic habitats where this bryophyte species once thrived.

Threat summary

Habitat

FRESHWATER· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Ricciaceae

Riccia ciliataCR

Riccia ciliata

Unknown
Fringed HeartwortVU

Fringed Heartwort

Ricciocarpos natans

Unknown
CR

Riccia weinionis

Unknown
Violet CrystalwortCR

Violet Crystalwort

Riccia huebeneriana

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Floating Crystalwort classified as Critically Endangered?
Floating Crystalwort is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Floating Crystalwort (Riccia fluitans) faces severe decline due to widespread habitat destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Water pollution, eutrophication, and drainage of wetlands have eliminated many suitable aquatic habitats where this bryophyte species once thrived.
Where does Floating Crystalwort live?
Floating Crystalwort occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Floating Crystalwort?
The main threats to Floating Crystalwort are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.