Utricularia dichotoma

Utricularia dichotoma
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Lentibulariaceae
Genus: Utricularia
Subgenus: Polypompholyx
Section: Pleiochasia
Species: U. dichotoma
Binomial name
Utricularia dichotoma
Labill. (1804)
Synonyms
  • Pleiochasia dichotoma
    (Labill.) Barnh. (1916)
  • Utricularia billardieri
    F.Muell. (1868) nom.illeg.
  • Utricularia canacorum
    Pellegr. (1920)
  • Utricularia colensoi
    Hook.f. (1853)
  • Utricularia dichotoma var. uniflora
    (R.Br.) Benth. (1869) [=U. uniflora]
  • Utricularia linearifolia
    Benj. (1847) [=U. dichotoma/U. inaequalis]
  • Utricularia monanthos
    Hook.f. (1860)
  • Utricularia moorei
    F.E.Lloyd (1936)
  • Utricularia novae-zelandiae
    Hook.f. (1853)
  • Utricularia oppositiflora
    R.Br. (1810)
  • Utricularia oppositifolia
    Spreng. (1824) sphalm.typogr.
  • Utricularia rotundifolia
    auct. non Merl ex Luetz.: F.E.Lloyd (1937) nom.nud.
  • Utricularia speciosa
    R.Br. (1810)
  • Utricularia subsimilis
    Colenso (1884)
  • Utricularia vulcanica
    Colenso (1894)
Utricularia dichotoma from Kingston, Tasmania, Australia, grown in cultivation

Utricularia dichotoma, commonly known as fairy aprons,[1] is a variable, perennial species of terrestrial bladderwort. The specific epithet is Latin for "dividing into pairs" and refers to the double arrangement of flowers which this species often displays.[2]

Morphology

Utricularia dichotoma is a low stoloniferous herb with leaves variable in size and shape. According to Curtis,[3] they can range from oval-spathulate and 2–4 mm long to narrow-lanceolate and up to 40 mm long. The former is more typical of plants growing in wet soil, the latter of plants growing fully submerged. Inflorescences are 5–30 cm high, terminating in one or two pairs of flowers, or whorls of three. Numerous underground stolons bearing bladders 1.5–2 mm in diameter.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This species has a large range and is native to New Caledonia, Australia (where it is present in all territories except Northern Territory and ACT) and New Zealand.[2] Here it is present in the North Island, South Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura - this being the most southerly location at which a member of this genus occurs.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Utricularia dichotoma". FloraBase. Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Western Australia.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bruce Salmon (2001) "Carnivorous Plants of New Zealand" Ecosphere Publications
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Student's Flora of Tasmania. W.M. Curtis. 1967. St. David's Park Publishing, Hobart, Tasmania. Vol. 3, p. 536