Irish wildflowers BSBI map

Lesser Bladderwort, Utricularia minor, Lus borraigh beag
Photos: Rinecaha, the Burren, Co. Clare

Lesser Bladderwort
Utricularia minor
Lus borraigh beag
Family: Lentibulariaceae

Flowering June - September. Insectivorous perennial. Native.

Free-flowering, the pale yellow flowers with short (1-2mm) spurs, corallas 6-8mm long. Leaves are 3-6mm with untoothed, threadlike segments and bristles only at leaf-tips. The small, transparent bladders trap small aquatic creatures which provide nutrients. Length 3-30cm.

Can be locally frequent in acidic or base-rich, nutrient-poor, shallow water in bog pools, ditches and fens but appears to have decreased in south-east Ireland due to habitat loss.

Similar: Greater Bladderwort, Utricularia vulgaris

Lesser Bladderwort, Utricularia minor, Lus borraigh beag

Lesser Bladderwort, Utricularia minor, Lus borraigh beag
Lesser Bladderwort, Utricularia minor, Lus borraigh beag

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