DEC’s aquatic invasive species team has recently been made aware of a new invasive species in New York and the United States: water soldier. Water soldier (Stratiotes aloides) looks similar in appearance to an aloe plant, spider plant, or a pineapple plant; however, it is only found in water and has characteristic serrated teeth along the leaf edges, making it easy to distinguish from these smooth-edged, terrestrial plants.
Water soldier was found in a small pond on private property in Putnam County, and a DEC team is working closely with the landowner to plan for its removal next year.
Water soldier is used as an ornamental plant in water gardens and can spread to natural waterways where it can form dense mats of floating and submersed vegetation that can crowd out native plants and hinder recreational activities. Its sharp edges also make it a potential hazard to water recreationists.
Be on the lookout for water soldier. If you think you’ve seen water soldier, send pictures and location information to isinfo@dec.ny.gov or report it at www.nyimapinvasives.org/report-an-invasive
