Utricularia bisquamata
Two-scaled bladderwort
About
A small annual carnivorous plant, *Utricularia bisquamata* is notable for its rosette of narrow leaves and its traps developed in the roots. It is found in the fynbos community of southern Africa.
Field notes
Morphology
It is a small annual herb growing to a height of about 12 cm (4.7 in), featuring a rosette of narrow leaves and wiry stems supporting racemes of flowers. The flowers have two lips, which are white, pale violet, or occasionally yellow; the upper lip is small with two or three lobes, and the lower lip has two short side lobes and an acentral lobe, often featuring a variable yellow patch at its base. The traps are translucent and developed in the roots.
Distribution & habitat
Native to southern Africa, it occurs in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Madagascar, typically found in the fynbos community.
Ecology
The species is a carnivorous plant that grows in acidic, boggy soils in sandstone areas, often among mosses in wet places.
Cultivation notes
The species can be found in cultivation and germinates freely from seed; the cultivar "Betty's Bay" has larger, more colourful flowers.
History & etymology
It was originally described and published by Franz von Paula Schrank in 1824.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–1,200 m
- Altitude Class
- intermediate
- Native To
- South Africa
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- easy
- Temperature
- Day 18–26°C / Night 10–18°C
- Humidity
- 50–75%
- Notes
- Tiny weed-like but charming. Often arrives as contamination in other pots.
Crossed U. Bisquamata with another species?
Register the cross — if it's not yet documented you'll be the first contributor. If someone already registered it, you'll be redirected to add your photo.