Utricularia reniformis

Utricularia reniformis belongs to the genus Utricularia within the family Lentibulariaceae. This plant is one of the largest types of its genus and is characterized by its unique fishing mechanisms. Utricularia species are widespread worldwide, with Utricularia reniformis, especially in the tropical mountain forests of Brazil. It grows at altitudes of around 800 to 1,500 meters, where it thrives in moist, nutrient -poor soils.

Morphology

Utricularia reniformis is a persistent, herbaceous plant that usually grows terrestrial, that is, it develops on the floor and not in the water like many other types of genus. The name "reniformis" is derived from the kidney -shaped shape of your leaves. These leaves are large and meaty, with a diameter of up to 10 cm. They grow in a rosette and are often shaped by a deep green, shiny appearance. The plant forms relatively long, thin stems on which the characteristic catch bubbles sit.

The catch bubbles or "bladder traps" are the central feature of the plant and the most important adaptation to gain nutrients from their surroundings. These bubbles that sit on the underground or water underwater are between 1 and 5 mm in size and work like small vacuum pumps. They catch tiny prey, mostly small crabs or insect larvae by sucking water and prey at lightning speed. The traps open as soon as the prey strips past the surface of the bladder on the surface of the bladder and suck the prey as soon as the mechanism is activated.

Ecology and Habitat

Utricularia reniformis is located in the foggy mountain forests of Brazil, especially in the regions of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. It typically grows in moist, peaty or sandy soils that are poor in nutrients. In these nutrient -poor environments, it has developed its carnivorous lifestyle to compensate for the lack of nitrogen and other essential nutrients.

This plant often lives in symbiosis with mossy substrates and grows in communities that receive a high degree of moisture and diffuse sunlight. It thrives in the wet, foggy conditions of the tropical mountains, where the soil is often sour and low in nutrients. The carnivore is a survival mechanism that enables the plant to gain additional nutrients from animal prey and thus to thrive in its special environment.

Carnivorous mechanism

The fishing mechanism of Utricularia reniformis is one of the most effective and fastest working systems in the plant kingdom. The fishing bubbles of the plant are under constant negative pressure. As soon as the prey touches the sensitive trigger hair on the bladder, the bladder trap opens and sucks water and the prey in a flash. This process takes less than a millennial second. After the bladder has closed, the digestion of the prey begins by special enzymes that break down the prey into nutrients.

This mechanism enables the plant to grow successfully in nutrient-poor soils, since it can open up additional nitrogen and phosphorus sources by digestion of small organisms. The ability to catch and digest prey in this way has proven to be crucial in the evolutionary adjustments to the water hose plants.

Flower and reproduction

Utricularia reniformis generally blooms in spring and summer, depending on the climatic conditions of its location. The inflorescences rise high over the leaf rosette on long stems and carry several large, striking flowers. These flowers are usually bright violet or purple and have a two -lipped structure that is typical of the genus Utricularia. The upper lip of the flower is smaller, while the lower lip is larger and arched, which offers pollinators a simple landing area.

The flowers of this kind are insect, with small flies and bees represent the main pollinators. The pollination takes place by attracting insects via fragrances and colors. After the pollination, small capsule fruits that contain numerous tiny seeds develop. These seeds are then spread by wind or water.

The plant can multiply through seeds and vegetative. The vegetative propagation takes place through the formation of foothills that form new rosettes and thus spread the plant in the surface.

Cultivation

Utricularia reniformis is also valued by hobby gardeners because of its fascinating fishing mechanisms and its striking flowers, which cultivate carnivorous plants. The plant needs a high humidity and acidic, low -nutrient substrate, such as a mixture of peat and sand. It should be kept in well -permeable soils that are constantly moist but not soaked. Bright, indirect lighting is ideal for growth, and temperatures should not fall below 10 ° C.