Greater bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris, Sp. Pl.: 18 (1753))

Family: Lentibulariaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 18 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Utricularia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Siberia and Tibet, NW. Africa

Description

Greater bladderwort, scientifically known as Utricularia vulgaris, is a fascinating aquatic carnivorous plant belonging to the family Lentibulariaceae. First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum (1753), this unique species has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts worldwide due to its remarkable adaptations and widespread distribution.

Native to diverse regions ranging from Europe to Siberia and Tibet, as well as northwestern Africa, Greater bladderwort thrives in nutrient-poor, still or slow-moving freshwater habitats such as ponds, ditches, and marshes. This extensive geographic range underscores its adaptability and resilience in varied climatic conditions.

Greater bladderwort is characterized by its floating stems and finely divided, feather-like leaves which house numerous tiny bladder traps. These bladder traps, true to the plant’s name, are highly specialized organs that it uses to capture small aquatic prey, primarily minute invertebrates. This carnivorous habit allows the plant to supplement the scant nutrients available in its often oligotrophic environments, making it a master of survival in challenging conditions.

The flowering phase of Utricularia vulgaris is another spectacle, where it produces conspicuous, yellow, snapdragon-like flowers that extend above the water surface. These flowers are not only visually appealing but also play a crucial role in the plant’s reproductive process, attracting pollinators and facilitating seed production.

Despite its carnivorous nature, Greater bladderwort plays an essential ecological role in its habitat. It contributes to maintaining water quality by controlling the population of small aquatic organisms and providing a habitat for a variety of other organisms within its dense, submerged foliage.

In summary, Greater bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) is a truly remarkable plant species that exhibits a blend of beauty and ecological ingenuity. Its extensive range, unique trapping mechanism, and ecological significance make it a subject of great interest and importance in both botanical studies and natural aquatic ecosystems.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig blærerod
Deu: gemeiner wasserschlauch, gewöhnlicher wasserschlauch
Eng: greater bladderwort, common bladderwort
Nld: groot blaasjeskruid
Fra: utriculaire commune, utriculaire vulgaire
Swe: vattenbläddra, bläddreört, blåsört, mörkgul vattenbläddra, vattenblåsört
Sme: stuorračáhcebađvi
Cym: chwysigenddail mawr, chwysigenddail mwyaf, chwysigenwraidd mwyaf, swigenddail mwyaf
Ita: erba-vescica comune
En: Greater bladderwort, Common bladderwort
Be: Плывунец звычайны
Bg: Обикновена мехурка
Zh: 普通狸藻
Cs: Bublinatka obecná
Da: Almindelig Blærerod, Blærerod
Nl: Groot blaasjeskruid, Gewoon blaasjeskruid
Et: Harilik vesihernes, Kalahernes, Lihtne vesihernes, Urticularia vulgaris, Vesihernes, Vesipõis
Fi: Isovesiherne, Vesiherne
Fr: Utriculaire Commune, Utriculaire vulgaire
De: Gemeiner Wasserschlauch, Gewöhnlicher Wasserschlauch, Großer Wasserschlauch, Echter Wasserschlauch
Hu: Közönséges rence
It: Erba-vescica comune
Lt: Paprastasis skendenis
Se: Stuorračáhcebađvi
Fa: آتریکالاریا معمولی
Pl: Pływacz zwyczajny
Ro: Otrățel de baltă, Otrățelul de baltă
Ru: Пузырчатка обыкновенная
Sk: Bublinatka obyčajná
Es: Lentibularia
Sv: Vattenbläddra, Blåsört, Bläddreört, Mörkgul vattenbläddra, Vattenblåsört
Zh-tw: 普通狸藻
Zh-hant: 普通狸藻
Uk: Пухирник звичайний
Cy: Chwysigenddail mawr, Chwysigenddail Mwyaf, Chwysigenwraidd Mwyaf, Swigenddail Mwyaf

Synonyms

• Utricularia major (St.-Lag.)
• Utricularia vulgaris var. minor (L.)
• Utricularia vulgaris var. typica (J.Meister)
• Lentibularia major (Gilib.)
• Utricularia vulgaris f. platyloba (Glück)
• Utricularia officinalis (Thornton)
• Utricularia vulgaris subsp. major ((L.) Ehrh.)
• Lentibularia vulgaris ((L.) Moench)
• Utricularia vulgaris subsp. minor ((L.) Ehrh.)
• Utricularia biseriata (H.Lindb.)
• Utricularia vulgaris var. major (L.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Jeroen Goud (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 27, 2019 by Laurent Chevallier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by Tom Heuts (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 12, 2019 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2019 by claude lerat -gentet Mme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2022 by Eledil Bitencurt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Maryna Pohorielova (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Jeroen Goud (cc-by-sa)

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

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

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

Habit

Taken Jul 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc Gorremans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2020 by Claudia Köhler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Beate Liebold (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by S R (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken Jul 20, 1853 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 1983 by Tela Botanica − Michel GELLÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172427)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:527199-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Utricularia vulgaris L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 9

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 3