Utricularia gibba

Utricularia gibba, commonly known as the humped bladderwort, is a small aquatic carnivorous plant that belongs to the Lentibulariaceae family. It can be found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams across temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. This plant features a unique trapping mechanism that enables it to capture small aquatic organisms like water fleas and mosquito larvae. Its leaves have tiny bladder-like structures capable of generating suction pressure when triggered by prey. Once triggered, these bladders swiftly open and draw in water along with any nearby prey. Utricularia gibba produces small yellow flowers with five petals that bloom from June to September. These flowers are held above the water's surface on slender stalks. The plant plays a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems by helping control populations of small aquatic organisms, such as mosquito larvae, which can carry diseases harmful to humans. Overall, Utricularia gibba is a fascinating species due to its unique trapping mechanism, which allows it to thrive in nutrient-poor environments where other plants might struggle to survive.

Characteristics

Plant Type

Herb

Life Cycle

Perennial, Annual

Genus

Utricularia

Family

Lentibulariaceae

Hardiness Zone

3-9

Mature Height

20 cm to 25 cm

Mature Spread

10 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Deciduous

Flower Color

Yellow

Flower Size

2.54 cm

Bloom Time

Summer, Fall

Planting Time

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Harvest Time

Mid summer, Late summer, Fall, Early winter

Native Area

Burkina Faso, Libya, Sri Lanka, Belize, India, Mexico, Guatemala, Madagascar, Nigeria, Morocco, Guinea-Bissau, Uganda, Tanzania, Paraguay, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Indonesia, Cameroon, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Portugal, Tunisia, Honduras, Peru, Philippines, Panama, Chad, China, Colombia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, El Salvador, Senegal, Eswatini, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Egypt, Angola, Malaysia, Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya, Niger, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Uruguay, Mali, Cuba, Argentina, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, Liberia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ghana, Botswana, France, Nepal, Congo, Chile, South Africa, Sudan, Zambia, Greece, Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Bahamas, Spain, Bolivia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Israel, Guyana, Nicaragua, Singapore, Algeria, Thailand, Gabon

Tags (5)

Common Names (9)