What is the Bladderwort?

Bladderwort plants are rootless aquatic, carnivorous plants usually found in the shallow ponds, lakes, ditches, marshes and slow-moving streams and rivers. The bladderwort family includes about 200 species, but only about 50 exist in the United States. Although the visible stems are bare, the plants have small, underwater leaves that resemble rubbery bladders. The bladders are equipped with tiny hairs that are triggered by small insects, like mosquito larvae and water fleas. The trigger opens a “trap door” that lures the creatures with a sweet, slimy substance. Once the creatures are lured into the trap, they are eaten and digested by the plant. Bladderworts are rootless plants with long, leafless stems that extend prominently above the water. Through the summer, the stems are topped by bright yellow to purple flowers. The presence of Bladderwort plants indicates a healthy aquatic environment. However, the plant is rambunctious and can become invasive in certain conditions. When this happens, the plants can choke out native plants and alter the natural balance of chemicals in the water. The large mats, measuring as much as 7 feet across, present problems for boaters and other recreationists.

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