Microscopic view of Utricularia or bladderwort, capturing prey. Utricularia otherwise known as “Bladderworts“ are rootless aquatic, semi terrestrial and also inhabit epiphytic locations. These plants live in nutrient poor environments. These active trapping mechanisms out pace the Venus Flytrap's movement like it's standing still. The small bladders possess a set of fine trigger hairs. When small creatures, such as crustaceans, enter the zone adjacent to the opening to the bladder/trap and touch the hairs, the bladder rapidly expands sucking in all that is in front of it in LESS THAN ONE MILLISECOND!!!. It's a one way door. After approximately 30 minutes at 25C, a bladder can be ready (reset its self) to capture more prey. The bladder will contract onto it's prey and thus reseting itself as an “elastic“ sucking device for other victims. It can capture as many creatures as it can hold and then digest them, aiding the plant's growth in it's otherwise poor nitrogen level environment. Many species of Utricularia are known and can produce extremely, if not small, beautiful flowers, likened somewhat to the beauty of orchids, although not related.
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