Utricularia stygia
A rootless, submerged aquatic and carnivorous plant that floats freely in water, reaching a height of up to 15cm. It has dark green, finely divided, thread-like leaves with specialised bladder-like traps for capturing small aquatic prey. It produces small yellow flowers with a slight reddish tinge from July to August
Size
Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
Wider than 8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Poorly–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Red Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Lentibulariaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- Yes
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Floating, Submerged
- Genus
Utricularia can be aquatic, terrestrial or epiphytic, insectivorous annuals or perennials with linear to kidney-shaped leaves bearing bladders to trap insects, and solitary or racemose, 2-lipped flowers held above water level
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Subarctic to C Europe
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in clear, still, or slow-moving water. Inhabits freshwater bodies like shallow lakes, ponds, ditches
Propagation
Propagates vegetatively through fragmentation and by seed, though vegetative spread is more common in its aquatic habitat
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Wildlife gardens
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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