Pinguicula planifolia Chapm.

Chapman's Butterwort; Swamp Butterwort

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Chapman’s Butterwort is a native herbaceous perennial in the Bladderwort family (Lentibulariaceae). It is found in the southern-most counties of the state where it grows in very wet and sunny locations such as seeps, spring runs, and bogs. It often occurs in shallow water. Chapman's Butterwort is a perennial with a poorly developed fibrous root system. Leaves form a basal rosette. The leaves are sessile, ovate to elliptic in outline, glandular, with entire margins. The leaves are a reddish-green color and the leaf apex is rounded. The margins of the leaves are often revolute (rolled up). Flowers are solitary on a leafless stalk (scape). The corolla has an expanded portion with 5 lobes that are incised to nearly their middle. The corolla varies in color from white to lavender or purple and the throat is white. There is a mass of yellow club-shaped hairs in the throat. The tube of the corolla is short and ends with a downward pointing spur. The fruit is a capsule with many small brown seed. Like all members of the Lentibulariaceae, Chapman’s Butterwort is carnivorous. The leaves are covered with tiny glands which secrete a sticky fluid, giving the leaves a shiny appearance. Pinguia is Latin for “fat” and refers to the shiny appearance of the leaves. When an insect encounters the leaf, it becomes trapped in this sticky fluid. As it struggles it comes into contact with more of the glands and eventually suffocates as it is covered with the fluid. The plant then secretes digestive enzymes that dissolve the soft parts of the prey. The Butterwort then absorbs the nutrients, especially nitrogen which in lacking in the acidic sandy soil where this plant grows. Chapman’s Butterwort is one of the first Butterworts to flower, often as early as February.—A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL) S1S2 (State Rank) G3 (Global Rank)

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