Lesser Water-plantain
EN

Lesser Water-plantain

Baldellia ranunculoides

UnknownNTEUNTEU

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

Overview

Baldellia ranunculoides, the lesser water-plantain, is a species of flowering plant in the family Alismataceae.

Lesser Water-plantain is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of shallow freshwater wetlands through agricultural intensification, urban development, and water management practices. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in water levels and quality, as well as eutrophication from agricultural runoff and pollution.

Threat summary

Habitat

Baldellia ranunculoides is found along the Atlantic and Baltic coast of western and northern Europe, and along the Mediterranean coasts of southern Europe, Turkey and North Africa. Recently found in eastern Newfoundland, Bristol's Hope barachois, Avalon Peninsula, the only location in North America. May have been introduced by a float (Sarracenia magazine, Newfoundland and Labrador Wildflower...

FRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in Alismataceae

Floating Water-plantainVU

Floating Water-plantain

Luronium natans

Unknown
Ribbon-leaved Water-plantainCR

Ribbon-leaved Water-plantain

Alisma gramineum

Unknown
WapatoCR

Wapato

Sagittaria latifolia

Unknown
creeping lesser water-plantainEN

creeping lesser water-plantain

Baldellia repens

Unknown

Threatened in Albania

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Anthophore estivaleCR

Anthophore estivale

Anthophora aestivalis

Unknown
Adonis BlueVU

Adonis Blue

Lysandra bellargus

Unknown
VU

Anthribus fasciatus

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Lesser Water-plantain classified as Endangered?
Lesser Water-plantain is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Lesser Water-plantain is declining primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of shallow freshwater wetlands through agricultural intensification, urban development, and water management practices. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in water levels and quality, as well as eutrophication from agricultural runoff and pollution.
Where does Lesser Water-plantain live?
Lesser Water-plantain occurs in Albania, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Canada, and Croatia (plus 35 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Lesser Water-plantain?
The main threats to Lesser Water-plantain 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.

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