Utricularia radiata

A very unusual plant growing in its own flotation device

Utricularia radiata floating bladderwort

Plant grows in the wild/spontaneouslyPlant is native to PA

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.

Very rare in shallow ponds and ditches.

Believed to be extripated.

Wetland codes
EMP: OBL
NCNE: OBL



Flowers June through August.

S-rank:  SX (Presumed extripated)
G-rank:  G4 (Apparently secure)