Pinguicula

Pinguicula, commonly known as butterworts, is a genus of carnivorous plants in the family Lentibulariaceae. The plants are typically small, rosette-forming perennials whose leaves are modified into sticky surfaces that capture small insects and other invertebrates.

Most Pinguicula species have flat, fleshy leaves covered with glandular trichomes that secrete mucilage. When prey touches the leaf surface, the mucilage adheres to the prey and is gradually enveloped by the leaf tissue. Digestive enzymes and absorbed nutrients from the prey supplement the plant’s nutrient intake, which is often limited in their natural, nutrient-poor habitats.

Butterworts inhabit a variety of damp environments, including bogs, damp meadows, rocky ledges, and forest floors. They are distributed across temperate and tropical regions of Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa, with different species adapted to specific microhabitats. In temperate regions, many species survive winter as dormant rosettes, while tropical forms can be evergreen year-round.

Reproduction occurs via flowers borne on slender stalks rising above the rosette. Flowers are typically small and attract pollinators, after which seeds disperse to establish new plants. Many species flower annually and form perennial populations.

Taxonomy and cultivation: The genus comprises roughly 50 to 70 species, categorized into temperate and tropical groups. Butterworts are popular among carnivorous plant enthusiasts and are cultivated in bright light with cool or mild temperatures. They require a nutrient-poor growing medium, such as peat-based mixes with sand or perlite, and must be watered with non-mineral water. Fertilizers are discouraged, and temperate species often need a winter dormancy period.

Etymology: The name Pinguicula derives from Latin pinguis, meaning fat, a reference to the fleshy leaves.