Utricularia / Bladderwort

MANILA, Philippines - Utricularia is a genus of more than 260species of herbs growing in the tropics worldwide, generally in watery or wet places. Some are submerged while others are terrestrial and even epiphytic. Leaves are usually simple and may be dissected into hair-like segments, bearing small bladders. Flowers are usually several with calyx biparted, corollla 2 and lower lip is spurred. Some species have flowers big enough to be sold as flowering pot plant.

Utricularias used in aquarium trade are mostly floaters with bladders that can trap small animals like daphnea (water fleas) and zoospores. Some bigger species have bladder traps that can catch mosquito wrigglers, tadpoles and even small fishes. 

Most Utricularias are easy to take care: just provide ample light and moisture and the plant will grow nicely. Aquatic varieties are grown floating in water. Nodal cuttings will grow into a full plant in a short period of 2 to 3 weeks. Most can grow in slightly acid water while some on moss colonies.

The Philippines is blessed with several species of Utri-cularia.