Fringed bladderwort - Utricularia simulans

Bladderworts are a very interesting genus, being semi-carnivorous - supplementing their nutritional needs in poor soil by capturing tiny invertebrates with the tiny bladders located on their leaf margins. Some do this by floating on top of the water and capturing them at the water surface. Others, like the fringed bladderwort (Utricularia simulans), do so at ground level.  It, and a few others, survive in seasonally wet soils in open trails and the edges of freshwater wetlands.  These were recently photographed at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park in depressions along a firebreak trail. Fringed bladderwort has only been recorded in the southern half of peninsular Florida, but it also is found south into northern South America.

This genus includes annuals and perennials and I could not find published evidence as to the nature of this species. I suspect, because of its mostly tropical distribution, that it is a perennial.  The foliage of bladderworts is fairly nondescript and difficult to notice. It is the flowers that bring attention to them. A few are purple, but the majority, like fringed bladderwort, are yellow. This species is a bit deeper yellow than others. What distinguishes it, however, are the noticeable "hairs" on both the flowers and the stems.  This is unique to Florida's species.  Flowering can occur throughout most of the year.

Bladderworts are not offered commercially by any of the nurseries affiliated with FANN - the Florida Association of Native Nurseries. They are sometimes grown in pots where their water needs can be properly met. It seems to me that they are best simply admired where they occur naturally.