Utricularia calycifida in vitro

Utricularia calycifida is a small-flowered, terrestrial or lithophytic urticaria with 3 to 6 cm long, red-patterned leaves. The approximately 1 cm large, lilac-colored flowers are usually produced from spring into early summer and last remarkably long! They remain open for over a month, and individual flower stalks continue to produce new flowers for several months. Utricularia calycifida has a wide distribution and can be found in Brazil, Colombia, Suriname, and El Salvador on nutrient-poor soils.

Utricularia are carnivorous plants with leaves modified into suction traps. These are either underground (in terrestrial species) or suspended in water (in aquatic species). A vacuum is created inside the small, bladder-like traps. When microorganisms (including water fleas, rotifers, nematodes, and paramecia) come into contact with the lids of these traps, they touch tiny hairs that trigger the trapping mechanism.

These hairs act as levers, gently pushing the lid inwards. This allows water to flow in. The subsequent abrupt pressure equalization forces the water, along with the prey, into the trap's bladder. The trap then closes again. This is one of the fastest known movements in the plant kingdom; the opening and closing process takes less than two milliseconds!

Glands within the trap then begin digesting the prey. Simultaneously, the trap begins pumping out the excess water, thus creating the necessary negative pressure for the next catch. This process can be completed in as little as fifteen minutes.

If the traps are the leaves, what are the green leaves you see on the surface? These are actually the plant's stems, which have broadened and taken over the function of leaves. They are called phylloclades.

Instructions for in-vitro plants: These plants are supplied in sterile cups containing a sterile nutrient solution and are intended for immediate use. Plants in in-vitro cups cannot be stored for long periods. Therefore, please open and plant them immediately upon receipt. To do this, thoroughly rinse the nutrient solution under running water. Divide the plants from the cup into portions of the desired size and plant them. When using them as terrarium plants, keep them very moist initially and pay attention to hygiene (avoid mold, etc., in the terrarium). Opened in-vitro plants are non-returnable.

You will receive one portion in a 6cm in-vitro cup.