Pinguicula vulgaris | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Lentibulariaceae |
Genus: | Pinguicula |
Species: | P. vulgaris |
Binomial name | |
Pinguicula vulgaris L. |
Pinguicula vulgaris, the common butterwort, is a perennial carnivorous plant in the bladderwort family Lentibulariaceae. It grows to a height of 3–16 cm, and is topped with a purple, and occasionally white, flower that is 15 mm or longer, and shaped like a funnel. This butterwort grows in damp environments such as bogs and swamps, in low or subalpine elevations. It has a generally circumboreal distribution, being native to almost every country in Europe as well as Russia, Canada, and the United States. Being native to environments with cold winters, they produce a winter-resting bud (hibernaculum). There are three forms originating from Europe: P. vulgaris f. bicolor which has petals that are white and purple; P. vulgaris f. albida which has all white petals; and P. vulgaris f. alpicola which has larger flowers. The taxonomic status of these forms is not universally recognised - see e.g. The Plant List.