Utricularia vulgaris - Greater Bladderwort

The Urtricularia Vulgaris, also known as the Common Bladderwort, is a perennial aquatic plant that lives between two glasses of water without attaching itself. It grows relatively slowly and is not very invasive. It prefers an immersion of 20 to 40 cm but can survive at greater depths. It is an excellent choice for natural ponds with fresh and acidic water. It is a bio-indicator sentinel plant; its presence in a body of water indicates the preservation of the environment and the absence of many pollutants.

TheUtricularia vulgaris, more commonly known as the Common Bladderwort, Coldwater Bladderwort, or Common Bladderwort, belongs to the Lentibulariaceae family. It is a species of freshwater carnivorous aquatic plants found in various northern hemisphere regions, in wet, marshy areas with a temperate climate in North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It thrives in open aquatic environments with low nutrient content, such as swamps and peat bogs. To compensate for this lack of nutrients, it consumes insects. The plant gets its name from its "bladders," which are named after the Latin word "utriculus," meaning "small wineskin," a container typically made of leather used to hold liquids like wine.

This herbaceous perennial aquatic plant does not have roots. Its floating branches can reach a length of one metre, while only its flower stalks rise above the water level, reaching a height of 10 to 20 cm. The Bladderwort is characterised by green leaves with transparent bladders, measuring between 2 and 6 mm long on average. Among the few capable of digesting microorganisms, this plant captures them with hairs on its stems and immobilises them in small pockets called bladders. These decomposing microorganisms provide the necessary food for the plant. The finely divided leaves, a vibrant green, are arranged alternately around the bladders, which ensure the plant's buoyancy. It is semi-evergreen in nature, retreating to the bottom of the pond during winter to propagate and reappearing on the surface when the water warms up. The Bladderwort flowers bloom above the water between June and August. During this period, the plant rises to the surface, displaying short, erect flower stalks 10 to 20 cm tall, bearing 5 to 8 golden yellow flowers, similar to snapdragons. The flowering, influenced by temperature, is less frequent in the northern part of its natural range. The seeds germinate underwater.

The Utricularia vulgaris, although modest in appearance, has delicate little flowers that bloom slightly above the water's surface. It grows relatively slowly, freely evolving between the surface and mid-water in calm areas. It requires caution as it does not tolerate hard water, sometimes making it difficult to maintain. In addition to its carnivorous role, the Common Bladderwort acts as an oxygenating plant by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, essential for fish. However, its predatory nature diverges from the usual function of oxygenating plants, which often serve as habitats for insect larvae and shelter for fry. It is essential to exercise necessary caution when introducing fish into your pond. Goldfish (carnivorous) generally pose no problems. Still, if you choose herbivorous fish such as Koi carp, grass carp, or tench, precautions must be taken by separating these species from the bladderwort in two distinct areas using a mesh or net.

Thanks to its non-invasive nature, the bladderwort is suitable for urban gardens, small ponds, natural swimming pools, and ponds and shores of large bodies of water. For a balanced composition, combine it with plants suitable for shallow areas, which will bring a diversity of flowering, such as the Aponogeton distachyos (Fragrant Water Lily), a floating plant with magnificent white flowers, the Butomus umbellatus (Flowering Rush) with pink umbel flowers, or the Calla palustris (Water Arum) with exotic looks. To promote water oxygenation and improve clarity, theUtricularia vulgaris pairs well with other submerged aquatic plants such as the Stratiotes aloides (Water Aloe), the Pontederia cordata, or the Ceratophyllum demersum.