Water Soldier
Stratiotes aloides
Family: Hydrocharitaceae
What it is like
Noxious Weed Information: Stratiotes aloides. This plant is listed by the U.S. federal government or a state. Alabama: water-aloe Class C noxious weed Florida: water-aloe, soldier plant. Prohibited aquatic plant, Class 1
Stratiotes aloides is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Broads, ponds and ditches in calcareous districts. It is very local and probably diminishing.
Europe, including Britain, to northwestern Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The herb has had a high reputation for treating wounds, especially when these are made by an iron implement. It is applied externally. The plant is also said to be of use in the treatment of St. Anthony's Fire and also of bruised kidneys.
Other
Rating: 0
How it is grown
A water plant, it requires a neutral to alkaline water. The herb is submerged at most times of the year, rising to the surface only when it is flowering. The leaves accumulate calcium carbonate and by the autumn this makes them heavy enough to sink to the bottom of the pond. The new leaves in spring do not have this calcium carbonate and so rise to the surface. A vigorous-growing plant, it will tend to swamp out other plants when grown in a small pond. Plants are dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Only the female plant occurs naturally in Britain, though plants with hermaphrodite flowers are also found occasionally. Seed is never set in Britain, the plants increasing mainly by offsets.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe. The seed is seldom if ever produced in Britain. Division at almost any time of the year, though spring is best.
Best place to grow: Pond; Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist