Pillwort
EN

Pillwort

Pilularia globulifera

UnknownLCEULCEUNTEUNTEU

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

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Pillwort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and water management practices have eliminated many of the shallow, seasonal pools and pond margins essential for its survival. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and changes in hydrology further compromise remaining populations, while climate change threatens the delicate moisture regimes this species requires for reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

Pillwort inhabits the margins of shallow, nutrient-poor ponds, lakes, and seasonal pools, typically growing in muddy or sandy substrates that experience periodic flooding and drying. It favors oligotrophic waters with fluctuating water levels, often found in heathland pools, gravel pits, and other temporary wetland habitats across temperate regions.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pillwort classified as Endangered?
Pillwort 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. Pillwort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized wetland environments. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and water management practices have eliminated many of the shallow, seasonal pools and pond margins essential for its survival. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and changes in hydrology further compromise remaining populations, while climate change threatens the delicate moisture regimes this species requires for reproduction.
Where does Pillwort live?
Pillwort 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 Pillwort?
The main threats to Pillwort 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.