Pinguicula vulgaris - Butterwort

This is a carnivorous plant. When an insect alights on a butterwort leaf it becomes trapped on sticky surface glands. The insect’s struggle to escape stimulates the leaf to curl around the hapless victim and release enzymes that digest it. When only the dry shuck remains the leaf uncurls ready for the next meal. In this way, butterwort is able to thrive on very poor acidic soil.

Butterwort blooms from May to August, depending on altitude and the site exposure to cold winds.

Wildflowers of Wales This wildflower is one of many dozens that are featured in the First Nature Guide to the Wonderful Wildflowers of Wales, Volume 4 - Watersides and Wetlands. Sample pages... Order online... Order by post...