Utricularia: Bladderworts

Bladderworts are an unusual and highly specialized plant. They are recognized as having the most sophisticated trapping mechanism of all carnivorous plants. They received this name because of the small bladder-like structures on their branched underwater leaves. These bladders are actually small vacuum traps that when the trigger hairs are touched the trap door opens for a fraction of a second ,sucking its prey inside the bladder. Once it is trapped inside,the plant absorbs the nutrients using digestive juices. Bladderworts are found in fresh water areas and in areas that have wet nutrient poor soil. They produce beautiful orchid like flowers that come in a rainbow of colors. 

Utricularia Vulgaris: Bladderwort (Aquatic)

Utricularia vulgaris (common bladderwort) is an aquatic species of bladderwort found in Asia and Europe. The plant is a free-floating and does not put down roots. Stems can attain lengths of over one metre in a single growing season, but die back and form turions in winter. The leaves are finely pinnately divided, between one to eight centimetres long and carry many bladder-like traps. The yellow flowers are borne on stalks above the surface of the water between April and August. In eastern Asia and North America, its place is taken by the related species U. macrorhiza. These plants are generally easy to grow.

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NOTE:
In a continuing effort to be a GREEN business, we do not heat our greenhouse in the winter. Please contact us via email for more information on pricing and the availability of other cultivars that are available in limited supply during the warmer months. 

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For more photos and complete care instructions: carnivorousplants.org