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Pinguicula pumila
Pinguicula pumila Michx.
Small Butterwort, Bog Violet, Dwarf Butterwort
Lentibulariaceae (Bladderwort Family)
Synonym(s): Pinguicula pumila var. buswellii
USDA Symbol: PIPU4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Small Butterwort grows 6-8 inches tall above a basal rosette of broad, succulent leaves. The few leaves form a rosette at the base of the plant and have a sticky surface that captures small insects. The margin of the leaf rolls inward over the insect until it is digested. Atop each flower stem is 1 flower, whitish, bluish or pale violet, about 3/4 inch across, funnel-shaped, somewhat 2-lipped, with 5 petal-like lobes and a spur at the base, like a larkspur.
All Pinguicula spp. bear short glandular hairs, and clammy leaves designed to trap small insects.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 8 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Blue , VioletBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Distribution
USA: AL , FL , GA , LA , MS , NC , OK , SC , TXNative Distribution: Coastal plain from s.e. NC to s.e. TX
Native Habitat: Moist, sandy pinelands and savannas
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: SunSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, acid, poor nutritive soils.
Conditions Comments: Prefers moist, damp areas.
Benefit
Interesting Foliage: yesPropagation
Description: Sow butterwort seeds as soon as mature on damp, long-fiber sphagnum. Keep moist is partial sunlight for germination in 90 days.Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL |
Bibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic BotanyWebref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
From the Archive
Wildflower Newsletter 1996 VOL. 13, NO.2 - Annual Wildflower Days Festival, Wildflower Center Hotline, The Visitor Experien...Additional resources
USDA: Find Pinguicula pumila in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Pinguicula pumila in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pinguicula pumila
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-23Research By: TWC Staff