Filip Dominec · Public domain
About
The alpine butterwort, *Pinguicula alpina*, is a widespread temperate carnivorous plant notable for being the only species in its genus to retain its fleshy roots year-round, allowing for long-term nutrient storage. It forms attractive ground-hugging rosettes of light-green to reddish leaves and produces white, zygomorphic flowers.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a small perennial herb, reaching 5–15 cm in height and supported by fleshy, yellow-white, branching roots. The leaves form a rosette up to 6 cm in diameter, ranging from light-green to reddish and being elliptic to lanceolate. Flowers are white, zygomorphic, and measure 10–16 mm long, featuring a short yellow-green spur and yellow markings on the lower lip. Seed capsules are 6–9 mm by 2–3 mm.
Distribution & habitat
Found in high altitudes and latitudes throughout Europe and Asia, with dense populations in the Alps and northern Scandinavia. Its range extends from sea level in northwest Siberia up to 4,100 m, including areas like Siberia, Mongolia, and the Himalayas.
Ecology
It traps and digests arthropod prey using mucilaginous glands on the upper leaf surface. The leaves aid digestion by rolling toward the center, bringing additional glands into contact with the prey. It prefers wet soils such as seeps with alkali to neutral pH, but is unusually tolerant of soil dryness.
History & etymology
Clusius distinguished *Pinguicula alpina* from *Pinguicula vulgaris* in 1583. Linnaeus included it in his Species Plantarum in 1753. It is the only European species in the section Micranthus, the type species of which it is.
Conservation
While generally widespread, it is threatened by development or agriculture in some European regions. It was previously found in northern Scotland but has since been eradicated from the British Isles.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 1,500–2,800 m
- Altitude Class
- highland
- Native To
- Switzerland, France, Norway, Russia
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Summer 14–22°C / Winter dormancy -5–2°C
- Humidity
- 60–85%
- Notes
- Eurasian alpine bogs. Needs cool summers and true winter rest.
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