Other common names:
Greater Bladderwort Family: Bladderwort Family (Lentibulariaceae) Group: Bladderworts Distinctive features:
Small plants growing in bogs/fens or water. No visible leaves. Bright yellow flower. Floating plant. Bladders scattered amongst roots. Similar species: • Horned Bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta) - rooted in mud in bogs or fens; roots not visible. • Flat-leaved Bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia) - also floating, bladders on separate stalks. Flowers: Summer; Yellow; Irregular flowers; Yellow, on short stalks rising above the water. Summer. Leaves: None; None or very tiny. Height:
Up to 7 cm (3 in) Stem:
Short, smooth, serving only to hold flowers above the water. Habitat: Wet Areas; Bogs and fens. Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 16 Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 122 ROM Field Guide to Wildflowers of Ontario: 302 Native/Non-native:
Native Notes:
Please read the Bladderworts page.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: vulgaris: common (Latin) For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers Photographs:
110 photographs available, of which 7 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Several flowers grow on each stalk of Common Bladderwort.
Note the horn that sticks out towards the front. This is distinctive of Common Bladderwort.
The horn on Horned Bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta) sticks straight down.
A view of the flower from above.
The flower stalk is short, standing up only a few inches above the water.
The whole plant. Common Bladderworts float in the water, with an extensive network of roots in the water.
Here the bladders are visible, scattered amongst the roots. These are how Common Bladderwort obtains its nutrients. The bladders are filled with air. When a tiny animal bventures too close it triggers a trapdoor which springs open and sucks the animal inside, where it is then digested.
