bladderwort

American  

[blad-er-wurt, -wawrt] / ˌblæd ərˌwɜrt, -ˌwɔrt /

noun

1. any of various plants of the genus Utricularia, including aquatic, terrestrial, and epiphytic forms throughout the world.

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bladderwort British  

/ ˈblædəˌwɜːt /

noun

1. any aquatic plant of the genus Utricularia , some of whose leaves are modified as small bladders to trap minute aquatic animals: family Lentibulariaceae

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Etymology

Origin of bladderwort

First recorded in 1805–15; bladder + wort ²

Example Sentences

Utricularia vulgaris, also known as a bladderwort, is a carnivorous plant that traps its prey using specialized hollow, water filled trap bladders.

From Science Daily • Nov. 20, 2024

The humped bladderwort has yellow, snapdragon-like flowers, and it’s actually carnivorous, capable of trapping and eating not just insects but even tadpoles and tiny fish.

From Slate • Oct. 3, 2013

At the same time—and here’s the key—the bladderwort has been evolving a lot, even picking up new traits.

From Slate • Oct. 3, 2013

Two other polyploid plants made waves last week: the carnivorous bladderwort and the sacred lotus.

From Scientific American • May 19, 2013

The bladderwort, for example, used to live on insects.

From The Motor Girls in the Mountains or, The Gypsy Girl's Secret by Penrose, Margaret