Eastern purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea, Fl. Carol.: 64 (1788))

Family: Lentibulariaceae

Author: Walter

Bibliography: Fl. Carol.: 64 (1788)

Year: 1788

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Utricularia

Vegetable: False

Observations: E. Canada to EC. & E. U.S.A., S. Mexico to C. America, Bahamas to Cuba, Jamaica

Description

The Eastern purple bladderwort is a captivating carnivorous plant recognized by its scientific name, Utricularia purpurea. Renowned for its striking purple flowers and intricate trapping mechanisms, this plant is a unique member of the Lentibulariaceae family. Its historical botanical classification dates back to 1788, as detailed in Walter’s “Flora Caroliniana.”

Utricularia purpurea thrives across a broad geographical range. In North America, it is native from Eastern Canada to the East Central and Eastern United States. Its habitat extends further south through Mexico and Central America and encompasses regions such as the Bahamas, Cuba, and Jamaica. This expansive distribution underscores the plant’s adaptability to various wetland ecosystems.

Eastern purple bladderwort is most noted for its specialized trapping structures, known as bladder traps. These small, bladder-like sacs enable the plant to capture and digest microscopic aquatic prey, including protozoans and small invertebrates, providing essential nutrients in nutrient-poor environments. This carnivorous characteristic is a remarkable adaptation that has evolved to compensate for the often-mineral-deficient conditions of its preferred habitats.

Overall, Utricularia purpurea represents a fascinating blend of beauty and biological intricacy, making it a subject of great interest to botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Its presence across diverse regions, coupled with its unique carnivorous nature, continues to intrigue and inspire further research and conservation efforts.

Common Names

Eng: eastern purple bladderwort, purple bladderwort, greater purple bladderwort, spotted bladderwort
Fra: utriculaire pourpre
En: Eastern purple bladderwort, Purple bladderwort, Greater purple bladderwort, Spotted bladderwort
Fr: Utriculaire pourpre

Synonyms

• Utricularia purpurea f. alba (Hellq.)
• Utricularia saccata (Leconte)
• Utricularia violacea (Barton)
• Vesiculina purpurea ((Walter) Raf.)
• Vesiculina saccata ((Leconte) Raf.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Texas (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 23, 2019 by Tom Jones (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by Cédric Lefort (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Matthew Horrigan (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2020 by Justin Booher (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 3, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 8, 2013 by EOL − Erin Faulkner (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Taken Jun 3, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172399)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30033844-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Utricularia purpurea Walter)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth