Swollen Bladderwort Utricularia inflata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-trik-u-LAR-ee-uh in-FLAY-tuh
- Description
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Carnivorous
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Water Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Maintenance:
- High
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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
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a capsule with many seeds July to December
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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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Finely divided filaments, not necessarily true leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Water Garden
- Problems:
- Weedy
