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Utricularia gibba
Utricularia gibba L.
Humped Bladderwort, Bladderwort, Conespur Bladderpod
Lentibulariaceae (Bladderwort Family)
Synonym(s): Utricularia biflora, Utricularia fibrosa, Utricularia obtusa, Utricularia pumila
USDA Symbol: utgi
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), HI (I), PR (N), CAN (N)
Humped Bladderwort is a perennial aquatic herb without roots. It has slender stems which may be floating, submerged or creeping along the substrate. The stem leaves are threadlike with hairless margins, alternate, numerous, and between 1/8 and 3/8 in. long. They may be undivided or generally 2-parted at the base and each part may be forked again. The bladders or “traps” are 1 or 2 valve-lidded and borne on leaves that are less than 1/16 in. wide - it is these structures that trap small invertebrates such as insects. Inflorescence have 1 to 4 yellow flowers 6 to 8 mm (¼ to 5/16 in.) long at the end of a 15 cm (6 in.) stalk.
Bladderworts are carnivorous plants with complex modified underwater appendages or “sacs” that trap insects and other small animals; this provides them with excess nutrition which allows them to survive in low nutrient conditions.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: 1-6 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: YellowBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CA , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , HI , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WA , WI , WVCanada: NB , NS
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Wet
Aquatic: yes
Conditions Comments: Water must be rich in microorganisms for the insectivorous bladderwort to survive.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesInteresting Foliage: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona ChapterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Utricularia gibba in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Utricularia gibba in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Utricularia gibba
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-01Research By: TWC Staff