NEN Gallery

In summer this plant can be found across deepwater speckling ponds. The Greater Bladderwort is adapted to conditions where natural minerals are lacking; instead it obtains these from insects. It is rootless. Instead it has air filled translucent bladders on its underwater leaves. These have hairs at one end when the hairs are brushed be an insect it triggers a trapdoor and the insect is drawn into the bladder with the water. Here it is trapped and dies as it decomposes the plant absorbs the soluble products. Once it has decomposed the insect and water is pumped out. The bright yellow flowers have two lipped sepals and petals. Picture taken 7th July 2006 at Felmersham, Bedfordshire