Utricularia radiata
A very unusual plant growing in its own flotation device
Utricularia radiata floating bladderwort
Floating bladderwort traps tiny aquatic animals and digests their bodies to obtain nutrients and grows in its own personal flotation device to keep its flowers above water. The flowering stem extends above the water surface, held aloft by a radiating ring of inflated branches. This plant is very similar to U. inflata with leaves supporting the flowering stems being cylindrical as opposed to tapering to the base as in U. inflata. U. radiata is also smaller in size. This plant is currently believed to be extripated in the state of PA.
Habitat & Range
Very rare in shallow ponds and ditches.
Believed to be extripated.
EMP: | OBL |
---|---|
NCNE: | OBL |
Phenology
Flowers June through August.
Plant Codes
S-rank: SX (Presumed extripated)
G-rank: G4 (Apparently secure)