Stratiotes aloides - Water Soldier

Family:	Hydrocharitaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe, including Britain, to northwestern Asia.

Stratiotes aloides (Water Soldier) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 5.
Water Soldier will flower in December to February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Water Soldier will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Water Soldier prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Water Soldier can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Broads, ponds and ditches in calcareous districts[17]. It is very local and probably diminishing[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Is a pond plant
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

A water plant, it requires a neutral to alkaline water[200]. The herb is submerged at most times of the year, rising to the surface only when it is flowering[17]. 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[200]. A vigorous-growing plant, it will tend to swamp out other plants when grown in a small pond[200]. Plants are dioecious, male and female plants must be grown if seed is required[17]. Only the female plant occurs naturally in Britain, though plants with hermaphrodite flowers are also found occasionally[17]. Seed is never set in Britain, the plants increasing mainly by offsets[17].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 0/5
None known

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The herb has had a high reputation for treating wounds, especially when these are made by an iron implement. It is applied externally[4]. The plant is also said to be of use in the treatment of St. Anthony's Fire and also of bruised kidneys[4].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in situ as soon as it is ripe. The seed is seldom if ever produced in Britain[17]. Division at almost any time of the year, though spring is best.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.