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Water soldiers leaves form a rosette and resemble pineapple or aloe leaves. Photo Credit: Invasive Species Centre.

Water Soldiers

COMMON NAME:

Water soldiers

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Stratiotes aloides

ORIGIN:

Europe and Asia

DESCRIPTION:

Water soldiers is a perennial, submerged aquatic plant that becomes buoyant and floats on top of the water in spring and summer months. This species has sword-shaped leaves that are 40 cm long with sharp, serrated edges. The leaves form a rosette and resemble pineapple or aloe leaves. Flowers are showy and white with 3 petals. Male plants have 3–6 flowers while female plants have 1 or 2 buds. Water soldiers has fleshy berries that are 1–3.5 cm long and contain up to 24 seeds, but these are rarely produced on plants. This plant has small roots that do not permanently attach to substrate.

ECOLOGY
RESOURCES
DISTRIBUTION

HABITAT:

Water soldiers is found in freshwater habitats including ponds, lakes and rivers. This plant can survive in water depths up to 5 meters.

THREAT:

Water soldiers forms dense mats of floating vegetation that negatively impact native species. These mats also affect boating, fishing and swimming, and the plant’s sharp, serrated edges can cut water recreationalists.

MANAGEMENT:

Manual removal can be used on small populations of water soldiers, along with gloves and arm and leg protection to prevent injury from the sharp leaves when handling the plants. Chemical treatment with approved aquatic formulations of diquat or glyphosate can control dense infestations.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

Approaching Region Priority Species
Tier 1 - Raise Awareness
NYS Invasive Species Tiers Chart

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

Water soldiers was introduced as an ornamental water garden plant. It is spread through aquarium and water garden release. Boat motors can break up plants and allow pieces to spread to new areas.

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Not present in the WNY PRISM region. Water soldiers is found in Ontario, Canada.

MAP (via iMapInvasives):

This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.