Plant Profile: Utricularia inflata

Swollen Bladderwort is a sizable aquatic carnivorous plant indigenous to the United States, particularly thriving in the coastal plain regions of North Carolina. This unique plant is characterized by its radial floats, which allow it to remain buoyant in the water, as it lacks roots. Each float is composed of branched spokes that contain bladders interspersed among them. The traps, designed to capture tiny aquatic organisms such as mosquitoes, are situated in the axils of these branches. There is some debate regarding the presence of true leaves; however, the plant develops filamentous branches that resemble a dense, hair-like mat, often found just beneath the water's surface.

Swollen Bladderwort favors dark, boggy waters that are rich in tannins and thrives best in full sunlight. Its striking bright yellow flowers bloom above the water from May to November. In the fall, the plant produces turions, or winter buds, which sink to the bottom, enabling it to endure the winter months. In milder climates, it may continue to grow throughout the winter season. However, it has the potential to become invasive and weedy in waterways, having spread beyond its native habitat.

**Habitat:** Ponds, lakes, and ditches.