Utricularia purpurea

Utricularia purpurea, commonly known as purple bladderwort, is a charming aquatic or wetland plant distinguished by its floating purple flowers and small, bladder-like traps. These traps are specialized structures that capture tiny aquatic prey, such as tiny insects and microorganisms, by creating a vacuum to suck them in when triggered. The plant doesn’t have traditional roots; instead, it absorbs nutrients directly through its submerged parts. Found mainly in freshwater wetlands across parts of North America, Utricularia purpurea plays a role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems by controlling micro-invertebrate populations and providing habitat for small aquatic creatures.