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Large Floating Bladderwort Utricularia inflata

Phonetic Spelling
yoo-trik-u-LAR-ee-uh in-FLAY-tuh
Description

Swollen Bladderwort is a large aquatic carnivorous plant native to the U.S.A. and found in the coastal plain area of NC. The distinctive radial floats keep the plant suspended in the water as it has no roots. Each spoke of the float is branched and has bladders in and among the branches. The traps are located in the axils of the branches to catch minute aquatic creatures including mosquitoes.  There is argument as to whether it has true leaves or not but forms filamentous branches that look like a dense hair-like mat that is often submerged just under the water.

It prefers dark, boggy waters rich in tannins and does best in full sun. Its large bright yellow flowers reach above the water from May to November.  In fall it forms turions (winter buds), which settle to the bottom and help it survive winters. In warmer climates, it will continue to grow through the winter. It can become weedy and invasive in water ways and has escaped its natural habitat.

Habitat: Ponds, lakes, and ditches

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#yellow flowers#native perennials#NC native#long bloom time#food source summer#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#Piedmont Mountains OBL#native carnivorus plant#bee friendly#Audubon#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#water garden#yellow flowers#native perennials#NC native#long bloom time#food source summer#food source fall#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#Piedmont Mountains OBL#native carnivorus plant#bee friendly#Audubon#boggy sites
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Utricularia
    Species:
    inflata
    Family:
    Lentibulariaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    WA, Central and eastern U.S.A.
    Wildlife Value:
    Food for muskrats and waterfowl. Habitat for aquatic invertebrates.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 2 in. - 1 ft. 8 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 10 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Carnivorous
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Water Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Frequent Standing Water
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a capsule with many seeds July to December
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Yellow snap-dragon-like yellow flowers bloom from May to November in groups of 3-10 above the water.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Finely divided filaments, not necessarily true leaves.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Pond
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Water Garden
    Problems:
    Weedy