bladderwort

bladderwort, any plant of the genus Utricularia, insectivorous or carnivorous aquatic plants, many native to North America. Small animals are caught and digested in bladderlike organs of the finely divided submerged leaves. Bladderworts and similar related genera are an important element of aquatic and marsh flora on all continents. They are sometimes grown in aquariums as curiosities. Bladderworts are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Scrophulariales, family Lentibulariaceae.

Any of about 120 widespread species of terrestrial and aquatic carnivorous plants of the genus Utricularia (family Lentibulariaceae). They are characterized by small hollow sacs (bladders) that actively capture and digest tiny animals that touch them, including insect larvae, aquatic worms, water fleas, and other small swimmers. Closely related to the bladderworts are the butterworts (Pinguicula), 35 species of land plants that capture insects by means of sticky glands on the leaf surfaces.

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See Utricularia