Butterworts are a type of carnivorous plant that belongs to the genus Pinguicula. These plants are known for their attractive flowers and ability to capture insects for sustenance. In this article, we’ll explore the characteristics of Butterwort flowers and what makes them stand out among other plants.
The flowers last for a long time and have five petals. A characteristic of this genus is its two lower lip petals. Depending on what species of butterwort plant, their flowers will come in several different colors.
When Do Butterworts Flower?
A well-established Butterwort will flower in the spring, with the rosette bud splitting into two new ones. Depending on the species, Butterwort flowers can last anywhere from three weeks to the entire spring season. Flowers of Butterworts typically come in shades of blue, purple, white, or violet and in some cases may exhibit a yellowish or greenish tint. For example, the Laueana Butterwort produces a true red flower and the P. agnata produces a striking blue one.
How Long Do Butterwort Flowers Last?
Butterwort flowers usually last between May and July in the spring and early summer. They produce flowers that look like orchids and are held above the plant. On average, most Butterwort plants have flowers that last around three weeks.
What Makes Butterwort Flowers Unique?
Butterwort flowers are unique because they attract both bees and hummingbirds. For example, the flowers of the Pinguicula lutea are a vibrant yellow color, making them attractive to bees. At the same time, Mexican Butterworts are favored for their bright hues of pink, purple, red, and everything in between, attracting hummingbirds. Butterwort flowers have five petals and two lower lip petals, a characteristic of this genus. In the center of the flower, there is a small point at the end called the spur, which contains a small droplet of nectar.
Do Butterworts Go Dormant?
Tropical and Mexican butterwort plants undergo a winter dormancy characterized by a change in their leaves, which go from carnivorous to tucked-in, succulent forms. With each species of Butterworts, the dormancy period can differ slightly, but it is typically similar to Venus flytraps.
Plants grow during spring and summer, and during fall, plants undergo dormancy. In contrast to traditional dormant plants, tropical butterworts do not shed their leaves or become shriveled when dormant.
They stop making carnivorous leaves and start producing non-carnivorous ones. The leaves are thin and are usually stacked on top of each other. The colors will differ depending on the pinguicula variant.
These leaves do nothing more than photosynthesis as there is very little food around like insects. The new gummy leaves start forming from the center of the leaf once spring arrives, preparing themselves to capture and eat potential prey as sustenance for the upcoming winter.
It is often the case that the leaves’ differences are small. Though, some species will have reddish-tinted foliage during the carnivorous stage and develop new green growth during the cooler part of the year to avoid wasting energy on digestive chemicals.
Conclusion
The article provides a good introduction to Butterworts and their unique characteristics. To improve the content, consider adding more detail about the different species of Butterworts and their specific flowers, as well as information about the types of insects they attract and the dormancy process. Also, consider incorporating more images or videos to illustrate the information better. Finally, consider including information about the care and maintenance of Butterwort plants for those interested in growing their own.
