This is a genus of carnivorous flowering plants in the family Lentibulariaceae and contains 126 species. The insects serve as nutrients for the plant, as its root system merely acts as an anchor for the plant, providing no nutrition. Butterwort can be found growing in sunny, open, wet locations throughout the southeastern US. They do well in nutrient-poor soil. Grow in full sun to partial shade in consistently moist soil. Use a planting mix of whole fiber sphagnum moss or a mix of equal parts peat moss and coarse vermiculite or sharp sand. A dormancy period is necessary to regrow and bloom each spring. Cut back dead leaves in the winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Yellow-green or purplish leaves in a basal rosette; minute glands cover the upper leaf surface; leaves curl slowly into a cup when an insect is trapped.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower shape
Cup; Funnel
Flower detail
Solitary flowers above the leaves on a long slender stalk