Water-gladiolus
Butomus umbellatus
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butomus_umbellatus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Alismatales
Family
Butomaceae
Genus
Butomus
Water-gladiolus belongs to the family Butomaceae, order Alismatales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Water-gladiolus faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to wetland drainage, water pollution, and agricultural conversion of its native freshwater environments. Climate change and altered hydrological regimes further threaten remaining populations, while invasive species competition reduces available habitat niches.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Shallow freshwater wetlands, pond margins, slow-flowing rivers, and marshy areas with muddy or sandy substrates, typically in temperate regions. The species requires nutrient-rich waters and establishes in both natural wetlands and constructed water bodies such as canals and ditches.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Water-gladiolus faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to wetland drainage, water pollution, and agricultural conversion of its native freshwater environments. Climate change and altered hydrological regimes further threaten remaining populations, while invasive species competition reduces available habitat niches.
Climate change and altered water regimes
Water pollution from agricultural runoff
Wetland drainage and habitat loss
Competition from invasive aquatic species
Urban development pressure on riparian zones
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Water-gladiolus (Butomus umbellatus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/water-gladiolus