Flatleaf bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia, J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(1): 18 (1800))

Family: Lentibulariaceae

Author: Hayne

Bibliography: J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(1): 18 (1800)

Year: 1800

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Utricularia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

Flatleaf bladderwort, scientifically known as Utricularia intermedia, is an intriguing and unique species within the plant kingdom. Renowned for its distinctive adaptations, this carnivorous plant is part of the Lentibulariaceae family. The Flatleaf bladderwort is noted for its ability to thrive across the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, exhibiting a remarkable degree of ecological versatility.

Utricularia intermedia can typically be found in nutrient-poor, aquatic environments such as bogs, marshes, and shallow waters. Its flat leaves often float just beneath the water surface, facilitating the plant’s access to sunlight to perform photosynthesis. Unlike most plants, the Flatleaf bladderwort has evolved specialized bladder-like traps to capture and digest small aquatic organisms, primarily zooplankton. These bladder traps create a vacuum that swiftly sucks in prey, which is then broken down by enzymes to provide essential nutrients that are otherwise scarce in its habitat.

This plant’s precise and efficient method of obtaining nutrients showcases the sophisticated evolutionary strategies that have developed within the Lentibulariaceae family. The Flatleaf bladderwort’s ability to adapt to various waterlogged conditions and its ingenious method of nutrient acquisition underscore its important role in the ecosystem, often contributing to the stability and health of its freshwater environments.

Described scientifically for the first time by Hayne in the early 19th century (referenced in J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(1): 18 (1800)), Utricularia intermedia continues to be a subject of interest among botanists and ecologists. Its complex and miniature mechanisms provide a window into the adaptive brilliance of carnivorous plants, offering fascinating insights into plant evolution, survival strategies, and ecological interactions in nutrient-limited landscapes.

In summary, the Flatleaf bladderwort is not just a plant but a sophisticated hunter of the aquatic world, perfectly adapted to its environment and playing a crucial role in the delicate balance of freshwater ecosystems.

Common Names

Eng: flatleaf bladderwort, intermediate bladderwort, flat-leaved bladderwort, irish bladderwort, mountain bladderwort
Deu: mittlerer wasserschlauch
Dan: storlæbet blærerod
Nld: plat blaasjeskruid
Fra: utriculaire intermédiaire
Swe: dybläddra, dyblåsört, mellanblåsört
Sme: mohtečáhcebađvi
Cym: chwysigenddail canolig, swigenddail canolig
En: Flatleaf bladderwort, Flat-leaved Bladderwort, Flat-Leaf Bladderwort, Mountain bladderwort, Intermediate bladderwort, Irish Bladderwort
Hy: Ջրապզուկ միջին
Be: Плывунец сярэдні
Zh: 异枝狸藻
Cs: Bublinatka prostřední
Da: Storlæbet blærerod
Nl: Plat blaasjeskruid
Et: Vahelmine vesihernes
Fi: Rimpivesiherne
Fr: Utriculaire intermédiaire
De: Mittlerer Wasserschlauch, Flacher Wasserschlauch
It: Erba-vescica intermedia
Ko: 개통발
Se: Mohtečáhcebađvi
Pl: Pływacz średni
Sv: Dybläddra, Dyblåsört, Mellanblåsört
Zh-tw: 異枝狸藻
Zh-hant: 異枝狸藻
Uk: Пухирник середній
Cy: Chwysigenddail canolig, Swigenddail Canolig

Synonyms

• Utricularia alpina (Georgi)
• Lentibularia intermedia ((Hayne) Nieuwl. & Lunell)
• Utricularia millefolia (Nutt. ex Tuck.)
• Utricularia intermedia var. terrestris (Glück)
• Utricularia grafiana (W.D.J.Koch)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 16, 2011 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2011 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by Andreas Häusler (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2022 by Thibaut Durr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2019 by michiel Wilhelm (cc-by-sa)

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

Other

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Habit

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 Jul 21, 2011 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2011 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2011 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 19, 2006 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)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172413)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262047-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Utricularia intermedia Hayne)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Soil nutriments: 2