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Pinguicula lutea (Yellow butterwort)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Pinguicula lutea Walt.

Yellow butterwort

Lentibulariaceae (Bladderwort Family)

USDA Symbol: PILU2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A perennial to 20 in. with broad, succulent leaves in a basal rosette. One to eight flowering stems arise from the rosette and are topped by yellow, spurred flowers. 1 yellow flower atop a leafless, glandular stalk rising from a basal rosette of yellow-green, sticky leaves. All Pinguicula spp. bear short glandular hairs, and clammy leaves designed to trap small insects.

Insects trapped by the sticky leaves of butterworts are digested by enzymes secreted by the leaves, which then absorb the nutrients. The genus name derives from the Latin pinguis (fat) and alludes to the greasy-feeling upper surface of the leaves.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , SC
Native Distribution: Coastal plain from s.e. LA to FL & s.e. NC
Native Habitat: Moist savannas & thin pinewoods
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, acid, poor nutritive soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

Propagation

Description: Sow butterwort seeds as soon as mature on damp, long-fiber sphagnum. Keep moist is partial sunlight for germination in 90 days.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Crosby Arboretum - Picayune, MS

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Pinguicula lutea in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pinguicula lutea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinguicula lutea

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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