About
It produces small yellow flowers with a slight reddish tinge from July to August. A rootless, submerged aquatic and carnivorous plant that floats freely in water, reaching a height of up to 15cm. It has dark green, finely dissected, thread-like leaves with specialised bladder-like traps for capturing small aquatic prey.
About the genus
Utricularia can be aquatic, terrestrial or epiphytic, insectivorous annuals or perennials with linear to kidney-shaped leaves bearing bladders to trap insects, and solitary or racemose, 2-lipped flowers held above water level
Growing conditions
SunlightFull shade, Full sun, Partial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid
Soil moisturePoorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeAquatic
HabitFloating, Submerged
FoliageEvergreen
HeightHigher than 12 metres
SpreadWider than 8 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Native toSubarctic to C Europe
Care notes
CultivationThrives in clear, still, or slow-moving water. Inhabits freshwater bodies like shallow lakes, ponds, ditches
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagates vegetatively through fragmentation and by seed, though vegetative spread is more common in its aquatic habitat
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free