Wildflowers of the United States

Zigzag Bladderwort, Slender Bladderwort - Utricularia subulata

Family: Lentibulariaceae - Bladderwort family

Genus Common Name: Bladderwort

Native Status: Native

Dicot Annual Perennial Herb

Utricularia subulata - Zigzag Bladderwort, Slender Bladderwort.
The Bladderwort family (Lentibulariaceae is made up of 3 genera and somewhere around 300 species of carniivorous herbs. Of these, over 200 species are in the genus Utricularia, but fewer than 30 Utricularia species are found in the United States. The Bladdwort genus - Utricularia - capture tiny insects and protozoans in bladders held in the water or saturated soil in which the plants grow. The Utricularia plant osmotically pumps water out of the bladders, creating an effective vacuum. When the prey bumps a trigger hair, the hair mechanically opens the trap door to the bladder, which sucks in some water along with the victim, which will then be dissolved by secretions from the plant.

Utricularia subulata is described as the most widely distributed species in Utricularia, being found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world in both the northern and southern hemispheres - every continent except Antarctica. It is native and found through much of eastern part of the United States, as well as being naturalized (non-native) in northern California. It grows in wet, acidic areas such as peat bogs, moist sands, ditches, and wet pine savannas. It is found primarily in the coastal plain regions, but can also be found in the interior as far north as Arkansas and Tennessee.

Found in:
AL, AR, CA, DC, DE, FL, GA, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OK, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA

Distribution of Utricularia subulata in the United States and Canada:

Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key
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Site: Bradford County, FL Date: 2018-April-05	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
The flower of Zigzag Bladderwort is a bright yellow (although it might fade to whitish), but they are so tiny (usually around one-third inch across or smaller) they can just look like color flecks in the nearby landscape. The spur of the corolla (not visible in my photos) points forward underneath and somewhat appressed against the lower lip.

Site: Bradford County, FL Date: 2018-April-05	Photographer: Gerald C. Williamson Nikon D7000 Tamron SP 90MM f/2.8 AF Macro
Utricularia subulata can have 1 to many flowers on its wiry peduncle.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Bradford County, FL Date: 2018-April-05	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
Utricularia subulata is one of the terrestrial Bladderworts, with its roots in soil rather than free floating. While they grow in soil, it is usually soil which is at least fully saturated for prolonged periods.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Site: Bradford County, FL Date: 2018-April-05	Photographer: Gerald C Williamson Nikon D7000
Zigzag Bladderwort has a wiry peduncle from 2 inches to 10 inches tall. The yellow flowers are on short pedicels (up to 2 inches; usually much shorter) which are subtended by tiny peltate bracts (connected to the peduncle in the middle of the bract.) The leaves, when present, are a tuft of green at the base of the peduncle. Those are not the Bladderwort leaves in front of the ruler.
Click on the photo for a larger image

References used for identification and information:

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Utricularia subulata initially published on USWildflowers.com 2018-05-26; Updated 2018-05-26

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
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Code Update 20230302