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'''''Utricularia''''', commonly and collectively called the '''bladderworts''', is a genus of [[carnivorous plant]]s consisting of approximately 227 species (precise counts differ based on classification opinions; one recent publication lists 215 species<ref name="Salmon">Salmon, Bruce. 2001. ''Carnivorous Plants of New Zealand''. Ecosphere Publications. ISBN 978-0473080327</ref>). They occur in fresh water and wet soil as terrestrial or aquatic species across every continent except [[Antarctica]]. ''Utricularia'' are cultivated for their [[flower]]s, which are often compared with those of [[snapdragon]]s and [[orchid]]s, and among carnivorous plant enthusiasts.

'''''Utricularia''''', commonly and collectively called the '''bladderworts''', is a genus of [[carnivorous plant]]s consisting of approximately 227 species (precise counts differ based on classification opinions; one recent publication lists 215 species<ref name="Salmon">Salmon, Bruce. 2001. ''Carnivorous Plants of New Zealand''. Ecosphere Publications. ISBN 978-0473080327</ref>). They occur in fresh water and wet soil as terrestrial or aquatic species across every continent except [[Antarctica]]. ''Utricularia'' are cultivated for their [[flower]]s, which are often compared with those of [[snapdragon]]s and [[orchid]]s, and among carnivorous plant enthusiasts.

The main part of a bladderwort plant always lies beneath the surface of its substrate.  Terrestrial species sometimes produce a few photosynthetic leaf-shoots which lie unobtrusively flat against the surface of their soil, but in all species only the flowering stems rise above and are prominent.  This means that the terrestrial species are generally visible only while they are in flower, although aquatic species can be observed below the surfaces of ponds and streams.

The main part of a bladderwort plant always lies beneath the surface of its substrate.  Terrestrial species sometimes produce a few photosynthetic leaf-shoots which lie unobtrusively flat against the surface of their soil, but in all species only the flowering stems rise above and are prominent.  This means that the terrestrial species are generally visible only while they are in flower, although aquatic species can be observed below the surfaces of ponds and streams.

Flowers are the only part of the plant clear of the underlying soil or water.  They are usually produced at the end of thin, often vertical [[inflorescence]]s. They can range in size from 2&nbsp;mm to 10&nbsp;cm wide, and have two asymmetric labiate (unequal, lip-like) petals, the lower usually significantly larger than the upper. They can be of any colour, or of many colours, and are similar in structure to the flowers of a related carnivorous genus, ''[[Pinguicula]]''.<ref name="Taylor 1989" />

Flowers are the only part of the plant clear of the underlying soil or water.  They are usually produced at the end of thin, often vertical [[inflorescence]]s. They can range in size from 2 mm to 10 cm wide, and have two asymmetric labiate (unequal, lip-like) petals, the lower usually significantly larger than the upper. They can be of any colour, or of many colours, and are similar in structure to the flowers of a related carnivorous genus, ''[[Pinguicula]]''.<ref name="Taylor 1989" />

The flowers of aquatic varieties like ''U. vulgaris'' are often described as similar to small yellow [[snapdragon]]s, and the Australian species ''[[Utricularia dichotoma|U. dichotoma]]'' can produce the effect of a field full of [[violet (plant)|violet]]s on nodding stems. The epiphytic species of South America, however, are generally considered to have the showiest, as well as the largest, flowers. It is these species that are frequently compared with [[orchid]]s.

The flowers of aquatic varieties like ''U. vulgaris'' are often described as similar to small yellow [[snapdragon]]s, and the Australian species ''[[Utricularia dichotoma|U. dichotoma]]'' can produce the effect of a field full of [[violet (plant)|violet]]s on nodding stems. The epiphytic species of South America, however, are generally considered to have the showiest, as well as the largest, flowers. It is these species that are frequently compared with [[orchid]]s.

==Varieties==

==Varieties==

 

==Gallery==

==Gallery==