Carnivorous underwater plant confirmed growing in Alberta wetland
iNaturalist: kiyaryar
Native Plants
Any pond or slow-moving ditch you pass on a walk could be hiding a plant that traps and digests tiny insects underwater, and spotting one is as simple as looking for small yellow flowers poking above the water.
Common bladderwort is a rootless plant that floats in ponds and slow water, using tiny bladder-like traps to suck in and digest small insects and larvae. Someone photographed and confirmed one growing in Lacombe County, Alberta, and the sighting was verified as research-grade by other naturalists on iNaturalist. It's a good reminder that carnivorous plants aren't just a tropical curiosity; they grow in wetlands across Canada and the northern US.
Key Findings
Observation classified as research-grade, meaning the identification was confirmed by the iNaturalist community
Species found: Utricularia macrorhiza (common bladderwort), a carnivorous aquatic plant
Location: Lacombe County, Alberta, Canada
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist logged a verified sighting of common bladderwort, a carnivorous aquatic plant, in a wetland in Lacombe County, Alberta, adding to the public record of where this species grows.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
common bladderwort (Utricularia macrorhiza) observed in Lacombe County, AB, CA
Research-grade observation of common bladderwort in Lacombe County, AB, CA.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
Was this useful?
Want to tell us more? (optional)
Thanks for the note!
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many submissions. Try again in an hour.
Street trees cut heat deaths by 39 percent in European cities
Trees in your local park or street aren't just pretty — they are literally keeping people alive during heatwaves, and planting even a modest number of the ri...
Phenology is the study of recurring biological events in plant life cycles—such as flowering, fruiting, and germination—and how these events are timed in response to seasonal and climatic conditions. This research is essential to plant science because phenological patterns directly influence
arrow_forward Explore topic