Stratiotes aloides aka Water Aloe

Stratiotes aloides is a water plant known as water soldier. It is a perennial, so it lives for years. Other names include water aloe and crab's claw. It is part of the Hydrocharitaceae family. Its native range runs from Europe to central Asia. This includes Britain, Turkey, and western Siberia. It grows in regions with a temperate climate. In the wild, it lives in ponds, ditches, and the Broads. Some of these sites have lime-rich ground. PFAF says it is local and may be in decline.

The plant forms floating tufts of leaves. The leaves form rings called rosettes and have narrow blades. Each has a sharp tip. Leaves can reach about 1.5 feet [0.45 metres] long. They are deciduous: they fall rather than stay evergreen. RHS lists a height up to 0.33 feet [0.1 metres]. Its garden spread reaches 1.6–3.3 feet [0.5–1 metre]. Leaf length is not the same as plant height. RHS gives five to ten years to reach full size. White flowers bloom in summer. Each is about 0.1 feet [0.03 metres] across.

Water soldier needs to grow in water, in full sun. RHS lists alkaline soil and ground that drains poorly. It accepts clay, loam, and sand in this setting. It suits both open sites and those with shelter. RHS lists sites that face south or west. PFAF lists it for ponds and bog gardens. RHS gives it a hardiness rating of H6. This covers the UK and northern Europe. PFAF gives USDA hardiness zones 4–8.

Its floating form and summer blooms add interest to ponds. Yet its weed status limits its use. Northern Ireland lists it as invasive and non-native. There, the law bans letting it grow in the wild. This ban includes planting it in the wild. The rule does not itself ban sales. PFAF reports noxious-weed listings in Alabama and Florida, too. These rules matter when choosing plants for a pond.

PFAF lists no known food uses and no known hazards. This does not mean it is safe to eat. PFAF gives it a low rating for use as medicine. Past uses included treating wounds on the body's surface. Other reports describe uses for bruised kidneys and St. Anthony's Fire. These old reports do not prove that the treatments work. The supplied RHS account names no specific pests or diseases.