SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 34497.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "34497" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

small butterwort

Scientific Name: Pinguicula pumila

Family: Lentibulariaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual, Perennial

Other Names:

       

Pinguicula: The Sticky World of Butterworts

Pinguicula, commonly known as butterworts, are fascinating carnivorous plants with a unique method of trapping prey. These plants utilize sticky, glandular leaves to lure and capture unsuspecting insects.

Considerations for Pets

  • Butterworts trap insects using sticky leaves.
  • Butterworts can be grown indoors in small containers.

Considerations for Children

  • Butterworts trap insects using sticky leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Pinguicula
  • Common Name: Butterwort
  • Family: Lentibulariaceae (Bladderwort Family)
  • Synonyms: Dwarf Butterwort (for Pinguicula pumila)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Butterworts are native to every continent except Australia.
  • The Small Butterwort (Pinguicula pumila) is found across the southeastern United States and is often observed growing in flooded areas in Florida.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Butterworts use sticky, glandular leaves to trap insects.
  • Small butterwort (Pinguicula pumila) grows 6-8 inches tall above a basal rosette of broad, succulent leaves.
  • During winter or the dry season, tropical butterworts enter a dormant state, dropping their large leaves and producing a rosette of small leaves.
  • The plants are typically a few inches in diameter at maturity.
  • Flowers of some species have a small, pointed spur containing a droplet.

Ecological Role

  • Butterworts are carnivorous plants, supplementing their diet by trapping small insects.
  • They are effective at catching small flies and fungus gnats.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Butterworts trap small insects such as gnats, mosquitoes, and small ants.
  • They can also digest pollen that lands on their leaves.
  • Some butterworts are very good at catching their own small flies - fungus gnats.

Specific Species: Pinguicula pumila (Small Butterwort)

  • Common Name: Small Butterwort, Dwarf Butterwort
  • Status: Native
  • Also known as Southern Butterwort.
  • Flower color is purple or violet.

Quirky Facts

  • The name "Pinguicula" comes from Latin and means "little greasy one," referring to the oily appearance of their leaves.
  • Butterworts are sometimes called "pings."