Utricularia vulgaris, commonly known as Greater Bladderwort or Common Bladderwort, is a free-floating, perennial aquatic herb native to temperate and tropical regions across the globe, including Europe and Asia. It is found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, ditches, and quiet streams with nutrient-poor, acidic to neutral waters. This species is characterized by its submerged, finely divided, feathery foliage and small, yellow snapdragon-like flowers that bloom above the water surface from late spring to early autumn. The flowers are modest in size but can be quite showy when they appear en masse.

Greater Bladderwort is notable for its carnivorous nature, capturing tiny aquatic organisms in bladder-like traps to supplement its nutrient intake in the typically low-nutrient environments it inhabits. This unique adaptation makes it a fascinating plant for water gardens and educational displays. It requires full sun to part shade and clean, still to gently moving water to thrive. While it does not require substrate to grow, it can be anchored in shallow water with a loose substrate of sand or peat. Utricularia vulgaris can be a useful biological control agent for mosquito larvae and other small aquatic pests. However, it can become problematic if introduced into non-native ecosystems, where it may outcompete local flora and become invasive.CC BY-SA 4.0