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Violet Butterwort Pinguicula caerulea

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ping-WIK-yoo-la see-ROO-lee-uh
Description

Violet butterwort grows in a moist, sandy environment such as bogs and ditches.  It is not recommended as a landscape plant.  

The leaves are covered with tiny hairs that secrete a sticky substance that attracts insects, looks like water droplets.  When the insect lands on the leaves, the margin curl and trap the insect.  The enzymes secreted will digest the insect.

This plant is typically found in the sandhills of North and South Carolina.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#carnivorous#NC native#native garden#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#carnivorous#NC native#native garden#NC Native Pollinator Plant#wildflower
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Pinguicula
    Species:
    caerulea
    Family:
    Lentibulariaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast USA
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Carnivorous
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny violet flower on a leafless, sticky, hairy stalk. Corolla has five deeply notched lobes and a spur.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 2" yellow-green strap-like, shiny, sticky basal leaves with rolled-up edges
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Native Garden