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Common Butterwort

©Philip Precey

Common butterwort

The carnivorous lifestyle of common butterwort makes this heathland plant a fascinating species. Its leaves excrete a sticky fluid that tempts unsuspecting insects to land and become its prey.

Scientific name

Pinguicula vulgaris

When to see

May to July

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 15cm

Conservation status

Common.

About

Common butterwort is an insectivorous plant. Its bright yellow-green leaves excrete a sticky fluid that attracts unsuspecting insects; once trapped, the leaves slowly curl around their prey and digest it. The acidic bogs, fens and damp heaths that common butterwort lives in do not provide it with enough nutrients, so it has evolved this carnivorous way of life to supplement its diet. It has purple flowers that appear from May to July.

How to identify

Common butterwort has a rosette of yellow-green and sticky leaves that appear flat to the ground and are shaped like a star. It produces around two or three upright flower stalks which bear small, deep purple flowers.

Distribution

Most common in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; scattered populations in North West England.

Did you know?

Many years ago, people believed that rubbing the juices of the leaves of common butterwort into the udders of cows would protect against evil and bad butter; hence the common name.