Butterworts and all

Bogland within Creech Heath.

The mossy carpet home to both the Common and Pale-leaved Butterwort can be seen in the distance. In addition all 3 of our native Sundews can also be found.

Pale Butterwort

Another specialist typically found in nutrient poor bogs and fens. Whereas in the Sundews the bright red sticky glands used to captures and digest insects are unmistakeable in the Butterworts the glands are far more subtle. To the unwary the leaf looks just looks like a plain, ordinary leaf. Upon landing the insect find itself trapped on a living flypaper that holds it in places whilst the digestive enzymes get to work.

Unfortunately for the Butterwort the drawback to this approach is that the insects responsible for pollinating the flowers can easily become trapped. Therefore the Butterwort has evolved to produce an extra long flower stem.

Pale Butterwort

Note the olive coloured leaves complete with purple veins. The glands can just about be made out glistening in the sunshine

Common Butterwort

Based upon the different leaf colour, growth habit and the lack of purple veins I think these are likely to be Common Butterworts

Common Butterwort

Hopefully one day I’ll return in summer when these plants should have the typical violet flower of the Common Butterwort

Lesser Bladderwort at Morden Bog.

Another carnivorous plant growing within a dark, peaty pool at Morden Bog.

Lesser Bladderwort

The Bladderworts rely upon a tiny hairsprung trap to capture the unwary.