Carnivorous Butterwort Plant - Pinguicula primuliflora - 4" Pot

Known as "butterworts," these plants produce a rosette of leaves with a very sticky surface. Greasy to the touch, but deadly to any small insect that may land on or try to cross one of the leaves. They will find themselves overtaken by sticky digestive enzymes. Even the bloom stalks are dangerous for small insects. The flat leaves of the butterwort are covered in thousands of minute hairs each topped with a little glob of sticky glue. This glistens in the sun, sometimes having a rainbow effect, and this is thought to attract small flies such as gnats and fruit flies. Once caught the prey will rarely be able to come unstuck, and struggling just makes things worse. Almost immediately glands on the leaf secrete digestive juices to soften the prey. So much is produced that this can happen in a few hours. The nutrient rich fluid is then re-absorbed. Sometime the edges of the leaf curl inwards, possibly to prevent these juices escaping. A very pretty plant from the Florida panhandle with primula-like mauve and yellow flowers. Spreads by producing plantlets at the tips of the leaves. Keep shaded. Hardy in zones 7-10. In cooler regions grow in terrariums or small pots as house plants.

• Known as "butterworts," these plants produce a rosette of leaves with a very sticky surface
• Greasy to the touch, but deadly to any small insect that may land on or try to cross one of the leaves
• Even the bloom stalks are dangerous for small insects
• Hardy in zones 7-10