Utricularia

Utricularia, commonly known as bladderworts, is a genus of carnivorous aquatic and terrestrial plants. They capture small prey, like tiny invertebrates, using specialized bladder-like traps that actively suck in prey when triggered. These traps create a vacuum that rapidly pulls in the target, providing nutrients that are often scarce in their environment. Utricularia species can be floating, submerged, or rooted in soil, and they play a unique role in their ecosystems by helping control small aquatic populations, while flourishing in nutrient-poor conditions through their carnivorous adaptations.