Lentibulariaceae
Quick Summary
The Lentibulariaceae, also known as the bladderwort family, is a group of carnivorous plants within the order Lamiales. This family includes about 350 species across three genera: Pinguicula (butterwort), Genlisea (corkscrew plant), and Utricularia (bladderwort). These plants are typically herbs found in wet environments, with some species even being aquatic.1
The carnivorous nature of these plants is evident in their specialized structures. Butterworts have sticky leaves to trap insects, while corkscrew plants possess underground, forked traps. Bladderworts are known for their small, insect-collecting bladders with trapdoor entrances, which capture prey such as protozoans, crustaceans, and worms. The flowers of Lentibulariaceae are often spurred and have only two anthers.1
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
carnivorous plantMajor familiesThe largest carnivorous plant family, Lentibulariaceae (order Lamiales), is marked by bilaterally symmetrical flowers with fused petals and only two anthers. This family has a fairly cosmopolitan distribution and comprises more than 300 species in three genera: the bladderworts (Utricularia, about 220 species), the butterworts (Pinguicula, about 120 species), and…
Read MoreThe largest carnivorous plant family, Lentibulariaceae (order Lamiales), is marked by bilaterally symmetrical flowers with fused petals and only two anthers. This family has a fairly cosmopolitan distribution and comprises more than 300 species in three genera: the bladderworts (Utricularia, about 220 species), the butterworts (Pinguicula, about 120 species), and…
Read More
LamialesCarnivorous familiesThe first is Lentibulariaceae, the bladderwort family, with three genera and 350 species. These are herbs of wet habitats, sometimes even floating aquatics, and they have small to quite large strongly zygomorphic (spurred) flowers with only two anthers. Pinguicula (butterwort) has flat leaves that are sticky on the…
Read MoreThe first is Lentibulariaceae, the bladderwort family, with three genera and 350 species. These are herbs of wet habitats, sometimes even floating aquatics, and they have small to quite large strongly zygomorphic (spurred) flowers with only two anthers. Pinguicula (butterwort) has flat leaves that are sticky on the…
Read More