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Native Plant Database

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Pinguicula vulgaris (Common butterwort)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Pinguicula vulgaris L.

Common butterwort

Lentibulariaceae (Bladderwort Family)

USDA Symbol: PIVU

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A small plant with stalkless, broadly lanceolate leaves in a basal rosette and 1 bilaterally symmetrical, lavender or purple flower (rarely white) on a leafless stalk.

This species also occurs in Eurasia. The genus name means greasy little one, referring to the slimy upper surface and fatty texture of the soft fleshy leaves. Small organisms that stick to the leaves are digested by the plant. The very similar Violet Butterwort (P. caerulea) is found in sandy moist pinelands, bogs, and ditches from North Carolina south to Florida and Louisiana. Dwarf Butterwort (P. pumila), found from North Carolina south to Florida and Texas, is smaller, with a pale lavender flower less than 1/2 (1.5 cm) long on a stalk usually less than 4 (10 cm) high. Southern Butterwort (P. primuliflora), found from Georgia and Florida west to Mississippi, usually growing in running water, has a violet flower with a white ring in the center and a yellow beard inside the lower lip.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , ME , MI , MN , NH , NY , VT , WA , WI
Canada: NB , NL , NS
Native Distribution: Alaska and British Columbia east to Newfoundland and Greenland, south to New York, and west to Minnesota; south to northwestern California in the West.
Native Habitat: Bogs, banks, on wet rocks, and in open moist soil in limestone areas.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), GL(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Wet
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High

Benefit

Use Other: This carnivorous plant has greasy leaves on whose surface insects are caught and digested by enzymes. (Niering)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-05-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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