How did water soldier get to Canada?
Prior to being regulated as a prohibited invasive species under Ontario’s Invasive Species Act, water soldier was sold for use as an ornamental plant in water gardens, which is the most likely source of its introduction to the wild.
What are water soldiers called?
Stratiotes
Stratiotes is a genus of submerged aquatic plant commonly known as water soldiers, described as a genus by Linnaeus in 1753.
Where did water soldier originate?
Water soldier (Stratiotes aloides) Water soldier is an invasive perennial aquatic plant that is native to Europe and northwest Asia. The only known wild population in North America was found in the Trent River in 2008, near the Hamlet of Trent River, Ontario.
How do you get rid of water soldiers?
Specialist contractors use amphibious vehicles to rake up the plant, pushing it to the water’s edge where it is pulled out using a long reach excavator. The plant is left next to the water for a few days, which allows any invertebrates or fish to fall back into the water.
How big do water soldiers get?
aloides can be up to 180 cm long but are usually less. Size: Stem length: 10-18mm long, Leaf length: 40-60 cm long, 1-4 cm wide (Cook and Urmi-König 1983). Native Range: Stratiotes aloides is native from the United Kingdom through to Asia.
How big do water soldiers grow?
Size: Stem length: 10-18mm long, Leaf length: 40-60 cm long, 1-4 cm wide (Cook and Urmi-König 1983).
What does water soldier meaning?
Definition of water soldier 1 : a European aquatic plant (Stratiotes aloides) of the family Hydrocharitaceae with bayonet-shaped leaves that are submerged in the vegetative stage and float in the flowering stage. 2 : a water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes)
Are water soldiers good for ponds?
Stratiotes aloides is a native floating plant with rosettes of serrated leaves and white flowers. Good for surface cover. Stratiotes aloides (Water soldiers) are another native ally in the battle against algae, though in large ponds they can get to epidemic proportions themselves.
Is water soldier a perennial?
Water Soldier, Stratiotes aloides, is an aquatic perennial, native to the broads and fens of Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, but it has also been introduced to other still and slow flowing freshwater habitats.
What are the worst invasive plants?
The 15 Worst Invasive Plants in America
- Kudzu. 1/16. Commonly seen vining throughout the southeastern United States, the perennial kudzu originally hails from Asia.
- English Ivy. 2/16.
- Wisteria. 3/16.
- Barberry. 4/16.
- Butterfly Bush. 5/16.
- Purple Loosestrife. 6/16.
- Norway Maple. 7/16.
- Japanese Honeysuckle. 8/16.
Why should we remove invasive plants?
These plants affect us by degrading our soil, leading to erosion that can lower the quality of our water. They crowd out and can kill important tree species that provide shade, carbon storage and habitat for native wildlife. And they can even increase the risk of wildfire.
How do water soldiers reproduce?
ECOLOGY: Water Soldier can become a pest, clogging canals. Asexual reproduction is rapid, budding to produce three or four new plants each year. Early in spring they are almost insignificant but by mid-summer they expand to almost half a metre in diameter.
Is water soldier an oxygenator?
The native Water Soldier (Stratiotes aloides) however, will come back year after year. Oxygenators are an essential element in a healthy pond, helping to oxygenate the water and absorbing excess nutrients which might otherwise fuel algal blooms.
How do you look after water soldiers?
Care Tips – When added to your pond Water Soldiers (Stratiotes aloides) often lie on their side. They take time to adapt to both the temperature and the pH of their new water. Allow a few days for them to stand themselves upright. Extra info – Water Soldiers (Stratiotes aloides) sink to the pond base in winter.