Bladderworts Carnivorous Plant (Utricularia)
Although the Utricularia is very small its method of catching insects
is by far the most ingenious of all Carnivorous Plants. It is the
largest genus of all the Carnivores with about 200 species.
Utricularia has bladders or small bubbles about the size of a match
head which trap insects. These plants are either terrestrial, that is,
they grow in soil; or acquatic, which means they exist submerged in
water. They often have a main stem, and off this are branches, attached
to which are the bladders. Each of the bladders has tiny trigger hairs
at the entrance. These are touched by passing prey, which springs the
door to the bladder inwards, and the prey plus some water is sucked in.
Species
Utricularia Calycifida - This plant is native to Venezuela and is
terrestrial with large light green leaves 12 to 19 millimeters wide and
12 to 25 millimeters long.
Utricularia Pygmaea - Native to Australia, the Utricularia Pygmaea is
one of the terrestrial species with very small 2 millimeters flowers of a
yellow to white colour.
Utricularia Australis - also called Negelecta, this plant is widely
spread throughout the tropics, common to Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa and Japan. Australis has a large yellow flower rising to 7
centimeters above water level.
Utricularia Menziesii - Menziesii is native to West Australia and is
found in very wet soil. This plant has bright red to burgundy coloured
flowers, about one centimeters long and bright green leaves up to 7
millimeters long.
|
