Alaska Wildflowers.us - Utricularia vulgaris ssp. macrorhiza (Leconte) R.T. Clausen

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Utricularia vulgaris ssp. macrorhiza (Leconte) R.T. Clausen
Utricularia macrorhiza Leconte

10 photos.
An aquatic carnivorous species known as the "common bladderwort" or "greater bladderwort".

1. Early July. Aerial portion of stem with blossoms. The buds at the tip
of the stem detach and fall into the mud at the bottom of the lake and
become new plants the following year (flash photo).


2. Early July. Single Blossom (flash photo)..	2. Early July. Aerial stem and blossoms from above.	4. Mid-July Small bladders on finely divided leaves. They fill with air to lift the stem out of the water to bloom. The bladders are also used to capture microscopic animals.
5. June 25, 2009. Upper stem with buds and blossoms just breaking the surface.	6. June 25, 2009 Identical with photo 5, but taken with flash.	7. July 28, 2009. Upper stem with blossoms and bud thrust higher above the water surface.
8. July 28, 2009. Another stem with buds and a blossom with spur visible.	9. July 28, 2009. Stem in photo 8 removed from water to show the modified leaves below.	10. July 28, 2009. Close-up of leaves with bladders.
All photos taken in a a thaw lake south of 134 mile Steese Highway 65° 35.69' N, 144° 36.74' W Elev. 900 ft.