Water-soldier
Stratiotes aloides
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratiotes_aloides
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Alismatales
Family
Hydrocharitaceae
Genus
Stratiotes
Water-soldier belongs to the family Hydrocharitaceae, order Alismatales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Water-soldier faces severe population declines across its range due to habitat destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff and urban pollution has dramatically altered water chemistry in many of its native habitats, while drainage of wetlands for development has eliminated critical breeding and feeding areas.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Shallow freshwater lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, and canals with neutral to alkaline water conditions. Typically found in nutrient-poor to moderately nutrient-rich waters where it can form floating mats or root in soft sediments at depths of 0.5-3 meters.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Water-soldier faces severe population declines across its range due to habitat destruction and degradation of freshwater ecosystems. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff and urban pollution has dramatically altered water chemistry in many of its native habitats, while drainage of wetlands for development has eliminated critical breeding and feeding areas.
Agricultural runoff and nutrient loading
Habitat loss and wetland drainage
Water pollution and eutrophication
Climate change affecting water levels
Invasive species competition
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-soldier (Stratiotes aloides). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/water-soldier