Utricularia cf. vulgaris

Utricularia vulgaris, or common bladderwort, is native to Europe, Northern Africa and temperate climate zones in Asia. This underwater carnivorous plant forms long rootless stems under the water surface of ponds and pools. Its finely ramified "leaves" carry numerous bladder traps and - in summer - flowers stalks that reach above the waterline carrying few yellow flowers looking very similar to those of the snapdragon.

It is not sure whether all those well-growing aquarium plants known as Utricularia vulgaris really belong to that species, as there are several rather similar Utricularia species that can only be safely discerned from U. vulgaris by their inflorescence, e.g. Utricularia australis. This species is also found in Central Europe and is distributed down to the African and Asian tropics as well as to Australia and New Zealand. It is quite possible that this Utricularia is also cultivated in aquaria around the world, unrecognized. U. macrorhiza, naturally found in Eastern Asia and North America, looks also very much like U. vulgaris.

Both Utricularia vulgaris and U. australis are also highly suitable as pond plants. In autumn, they form ball-shaped winter buds that detatch from the plant and sink to the ground, whereas the rest of the plant disintegrates and dies off. After hibernation, these winter buds float to the water surface in spring, where they sprout new plants.

To be continued...