Bladderwort
Utricularia arenaria, Utricularia livida, Utricularia sandersonii
Bladderwort
Description
Utricularias are creeping terrestrial bladderworts. They have broad green leaves up to 2.5 cm long that lie flat on the ground, thin creeping stems (stolons) at the base of these leaves, and underground roots containing tiny "sacs" which trap insects. The main difference between the Utricularias are their flowers, which are produced in summer and range from white to pale blue/mauve. U. sandersonii has an upper flower lobe divided into two spreading lobes (like rabbit ears). U. livida and U. arenaria both have undivided upper flower lobes, but have a differing flower spur length. U. arenaria has a long spur projecting below the flower lobe, whereas U. livida has a shorter spur hidden behind the flower lobe.
Impact
Bladderworts have specially adapted to low nutrient environments, such as bogs and swamps, and outcompete native bladderworts also adapted to similar environments.
What to do
Contact your regional council to determine the status of this species and responsibility for control and/or advice on control.
Page last updated: 24 March 2009