Utricularia gibba

Description

Utricularia gibba, also known as dwarf bladderwort, is a carnivorous plant that feeds on small animals. It's commonly found in warmer regions, growing in bogs and pond edges. Its unique appearance features tiny, almost stunted-looking leaflets on thin stems, which carry bladder traps for catching prey. The leaves don't grow in whorls like other aquatic bladderwort species. This plant can form floating cushions or settle between other plants or grow emersed on wet ground. It's not typically introduced intentionally and may become a nuisance due to its tangled growth habit. Utricularia gibba can establish itself in moss pads or lawnlike plantings, but it won't be controlled by aquarium maintenance conditions. The only way to keep this bladderwort in check is through patient removal with pincers, as it can regenerate from small stem pieces left behind. It's recommended not to introduce Utricularia gibba intentionally and to inspect any new additions for shoots or stem pieces of the plant.