FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Pinguicula vulgaris, Common Butterwort

Pinguicula vulgaris; the common butterwort can be found in heather lands and pastures. It is a "semi-carnivorous" plant trapping small flies by sticky fluids from glands on the leaves. As soon as an insect is trapped it will fold its leaves in order to enfold the insect. This reaction is triggered by both the struggling movements of the insect and chemical recognition. It can however, grow well without trapping insects.
It is a member of the Bladderwort family Lentibulariaceae.

Back to home page

A brief introduction to common Iceland plants
Text & Photographs by Dick Vuijk
- unless stated otherwise
Miscellaneous plants having flowers with fused petals (2),
look here for more plant groups lists
Click on thumbnails or latin names to get information on the species.

Click on the image for true size view

Flowers in detail
Typical: Common Butterwort plants in a moist mossy vegetation
Reload first photo