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Slender Bladderwort Utricularia subulata

Other Common Name(s):

Description

Slender Bladderwort is a short-lived native carnivorous plant that is the most widely distributed plant in the Utricularia genus. In NC it is found in the coastal and sandhills areas and less frequently in the Piedmont and southern mountains. It prefers sandy peaty soils that are consistently moist.

This tiny plant is nearly impossible to find until it sends up its small bright yellow flowers. If conditions are good the flower will be open and attract insects for pollination. If conditions are not ideal the flowers will be closed and it will be self-pollinating. The carnivorous bladders are underground and attract microscopic critters for food. The leaves are few and at the base of the plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#carnivorous#NC native#food source summer#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#Piedmont Mountains OBL#fly friendly#butterfly friendly#native carnivorus plant#bee friendly#Audubon#wet soils intolerant#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#carnivorous#NC native#food source summer#Coastal OBL#food source nectar#Piedmont Mountains OBL#fly friendly#butterfly friendly#native carnivorus plant#bee friendly#Audubon#wet soils intolerant#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Utricularia
    Species:
    subulata
    Family:
    Lentibulariaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical and subtropical North America
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CA, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OK, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant attracts bees, flies, butterflies and moths.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heat tolerant.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Carnivorous
    Native Plant
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit displays from June to September.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Lipped
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Yellow flowers with 4-5 fused petals in a cup or tubular shape that bloom from March to July.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Simple alternate basal leaves are green and slender
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stem is a wiry peduncle from 2 inches to 5 inches tall.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil