Water-soldier - Stratiotes aloides

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Water-soldier - Stratiotes aloides
© Dr Chris Gibson/English Nature

This very unusual-looking plant has narrow, sword-shaped, saw-edged green leaves which are submerged for most of the year. It rises to the surface from June to August to produce small, creamy-white flowers in the leaf axils: the female flowers are solitary, while males are in clusters with a pink papery spathe. This is an attractive, free-floating aquatic plant that likes still or slow-moving chalky waters.

Although it is rare in the wild, it is easy to establish in ponds of sufficient size and depth. It is worth having for its curious structure and flowers alone but dragonflies may use it as a perch from which to launch attacks on other flying insects.

Animals

Southern hawker dragonfly

Foliage	Green
Flower	White, June to August
Moisture	(Wet)
Sunlight	(Full sun)
Origin	Native