Etymology: Utricularia: from Latin utriculus, "a small bag or bladder," the common name of which is bladderwort
Plants: perennial, floating aquatic; stems leafy, loosely floating just below the water surface
Leaves: finely divided, leaf-like branches forking 3-7 times, no midrib, alternate; many bladders, young bladders greenish and transparent, older ones dark brown to black
Flowers: yellow, 5-parted, 3/4" long, 2 lipped, lower lip with sickle-like spur facing forward; inflorescence 6-20 stalked flowers in a cluster (raceme) on a sagging stalk held above the water, 1-several bracts below the cluster; blooms June-Aug.
Habitat: lakes, ponds, ditches
Conservation Status: Native

Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 7, Wetland Indicator = OBL Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine: Information and Photos USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc.