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Pinguicula vulgaris, also known as Steepgrass, Valentine's
Flower or Common Butterwort, is circumboreal. It occurs
in Northern and Central Canada and in Northeast United
States. It is more common in Eurasia. This carnivorous
plant thrives in the mountains as well as in the lowlands.
In Spring, the cycle begins by the opening of the Winter
buds, hibernacula, and the production of the first
carnivorous leaves. The first leaves are followed by the
flowers in Summer. New carnivorous leaves are produced
during all the season. Near Autumn, or earlier, if your
conditions are not optimal, the next hibernacula is
revealed in the centre of the rosette. Then leaf
production stops and the old leaves decay slowly. The
plant, reduced now to a small hibernacula, is ready for
Winter and for the next cycle.
Pinguicula vulgaris is a small plant, about 3.5 inches,
with rosettes of light green to yellow green leaves. The
leaves are basal, elongated, up to 2" long, sticky
and glossy in appearance. Common Butterwort flowers in
late June to July. It produces single purple flowers
of 2 cm, tubular in shape, with a 3-lobed lower lip, and
2-lobed upper lip, and a white throat. It stands alone on
a leafless stalk between 1" and 6" high.
The leaves have a slimy upper surface which is produced
by secretions from two types of glands. Stalked glands
produce a sticky substrate which aids in trapping insects,
and sessile glands produce enzymes which digest the prey.
After an insect is caught by the sticky secretions, the
leaf folds over the insect, and enzymes are released for
digestion and eventually the insect is absorbed by the
leaves. These modifications help such plant species
compete in nutrient-deficient habitats.
Pinguicula vulgaris is from a circumboreal climate and
require a dormancy period. During dormancy the plant die
back to a resting bud known as a hibernacula. Temperate
Butterworts not only reproduce by seed, but also by
gemmae. These gemmae, brood bodies, form around the base
of the hibernacula. They look like miniature resting buds.
They break of from the hibernacula very easily and are
scattered around, assisting on the further propagation of
the species.
Hardiness zone 1 (-45°C/-50°F)
in Winter. It survives in areas that have a Subarctic
growing season of 60 to 90 days. Optimal Summer growing
conditions are good air humidity, cool temperature and UV
lights. If the Summer growing conditions are not optimal,
the plants will form very weak hibernacula which easily
rot. During growth period, procure a day temperatures of
about 25°C and night temperatures around 20°C. During
resting period days and nights should be below freezing
point. You can put it in the freezer for 3 months,
preceded and succeeded by 3 weeks in the fridge.
Common Butterwort has been reported in a variety of
habitats, including bogs and wet soil in mountains, a
subalpine mire, and growing out of water. It will grow in
nutrient-poor soils. Pinguicula vulgaris need full sun to
partial shade and prefer to be planted in an acidic, well-drained
moist to wet soil. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix
consisting of one part peat moss, two parts perlite, and
one part vermiculite.
Use rain water poured on the top of the pot taking care
not to wet the rosette. When this Pinguicula begins to
produce its non-carnivorous leaves, from October to April,
it is important to restrict the water somewhat, but never
allow the plants to dry completely. Inversely, when the
plant begins to produce in early Spring its carnivorous
leaves, you have to progressively start watering again
the pot. Don't let the media dry between two watering.
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