Utricularia inflata aka Large Swollen Bladderwort

Utricularia inflata lives in water and has no roots. This perennial lives for years and traps small animals. People call it swollen bladderwort or large floating bladderwort. It is part of the bladderwort family, Lentibulariaceae. Its native range includes the central and eastern United States. NC State also lists Washington in its range. It grows on North Carolina's coastal plain. It lives in ponds, lakes, and ditches.

The plant spreads through water, with some parts standing upright. Its listed height is about 0.17–1.67 feet [0.05–0.51 metres]. Its spread reaches about 0.5–0.83 feet [0.15–0.25 metres]. Floats spread like spokes from one point and hold it up. Each arm splits into branches with small bladder traps. These traps sit among the branches and catch tiny water animals. Their prey includes mosquitoes. Fine green strands form a thick mat just below the surface. Experts debate whether these leaf-like parts are true leaves. The green stems have no scent.

Bright yellow flowers rise above the water from May to November. They look like snapdragons, in groups of three to ten. Each flower is about 0.08–0.25 feet [0.025–0.076 metres] across. The blooms stand above the fine green growth under the water. Seed capsules form next, with fruit present from July to December. Each capsule holds many seeds. The sources list seed as a way to grow new plants.

This bladderwort grows best in full sun. Give it at least six hours of direct light each day. It prefers dark bog water that is high in tannins. NC State lists sandy sites and places with standing water. It needs a home in water, not a dry bed. Its listed USDA hardiness range is zones 5a through 10b. In autumn, it forms buds called turions to survive winter. These sink to the bottom as the season cools. In warm climates, growth can go on through winter.

The sources list ponds and native water gardens as landscape uses. The yellow flowers add colour above water for many months. Muskrats and waterfowl eat the plant. Small water animals without backbones use it as a home. These wildlife uses come with a clear warning for gardeners. NC State says it needs much upkeep and warns of invasive growth. It has spread beyond its natural habitat. It can become a weed in waterways. The supplied sources give no human food uses or findings on toxicity.