Utricularia sandersonii
Sanderson's bladderwort
Noah Elhardt · CC BY 2.5
About
A popular houseplant, *Utricularia sandersonii* is an evergreen perennial known for its white flowers with pale blue markings and long forward-curved spurs. It is notable for its ability to tolerate cool temperatures, making it relatively easy to cultivate.
Field notes
Morphology
Up to 50 cm tall and broad, the plant grows as a lithophyte and bears quantities of white flowers with pale blue markings, long forward-curved spurs, and double lobes. The visible parts of the plant are not carnivorous.
Distribution & habitat
Endemic to northern KwaZulu-Natal and Transkei in South Africa, at altitudes from 210 m to 1,200 m.
Ecology
Carnivory occurs beneath the surface via tiny bladders on underground stems, capturing micro-organisms that inhabit saturated soil.
Cultivation notes
It thrives in conditions that are relatively easy to replicate at home, tolerating temperatures down to 1 °C but not freezing. It must be kept moist at all times and requires moderate lighting for continuous flowering.
History & etymology
Originally described and published by Daniel Oliver in 1865.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–800 m
- Altitude Class
- intermediate
- Native To
- South Africa
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- easy
- Temperature
- Day 20–28°C / Night 14–20°C
- Humidity
- 50–80%
- Notes
- Rabbit-ears flowers. Spreads vigorously in terrarium conditions.
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