Aldrovanda vesiculosa

Description

Aldrovanda vesiculosa is a rootless carnivorous aquatic plant that floats on the water surface. It resembles Utricularia species at first glance but is actually related to Dionaea muscipula and Drosera species. This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and temperate climates. In Germany, it's considered a threatened species. A. vesiculosa thrives in shallow, warm, acidic water bodies with reeds and rice paddies. Populations from temperate areas form winter buds on sprouts in autumn, which fall off and hibernate at the bottom of the waterbody before resprouting in spring. In tropical regions, it remains vegetative year-round. This stem plant features whorls of leaves (5-9 per whorl) with a widening leaf stalk, long bristles, and a shell-shaped folding trap similar to Dionaea muscipula's.