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Common Bladderwort

Utricularia vulgaris

CommonPlant
Illustration of Common Bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris)

Common Bladderwort is a carnivorous aquatic plant that floats just below the water surface and catches small aquatic invertebrates, water fleas, and even larval tadpoles in tiny suction-cup bladders. It has no roots and obtains all nutrients from trapped prey. Yellow snapdragon-like flowers rise above the water surface in summer.

Habitat
Ponds, lakes, and slow streams with nutrient-poor water across North America
Diet
Carnivorous; traps aquatic invertebrates and larvae; flowers visited by bees
How common
Common

Best time to see a Common Bladderwort

The best time to see a Common Bladderwort is June–July, when about 71% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 2,781 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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