floating bladderwort
(Utricularia inflata)
This species is Native to certain parts of the United States but may be invasive to others
Appearance
Utricularia inflata is a perennial herbaceous aquatic plant that has a branched stem which can grow up to 6.6 ft. (2 m) long. It is a carnivorous plant and can be floating, submersed, or partly creeping.
Foliage
U. inflata has a distinctive spoke-like whorl of 4-10 wedge shaped leaves that float and are 1.6-3.5 in. (4-9 cm) long.
Flowers
Flowers are yellow and snap dragon like. They are about 0.8 in. (20 mm) wide and are held above the water in groups of 3-14 flowers on stalks.
Fruit
Fruits are capsules containing many small seeds. The fruit stalk can grow up to 1.4 in. (35 mm) long.
Ecological Threat
U. inflata can be found floating freely in shallow water or loosely attached to the sediment. It is native to Southeastern U.S., along the eastern coast, and in Washington.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Asteranae |
| Order: Lamiales |
| Family: Lentibulariaceae |
| Genus: Utricularia |
| Utricularia inflata |
References
Common Name Reference: Weed Science Society of America Common Names List
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.