Common Butterwort
Pinguicula vulgaris
- Native to:
- Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Labrador, Netherlands, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
Denis Barthel
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Lentibulariaceae
- Genus:
- Pinguicula
- Species:
- Pinguicula vulgaris
- USDA Symbol:
- PIVU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- violet, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in calcareous fens and bogs
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; surface sow on moist, mineral substrate. Germination can be erratic.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).
Notes: Light required for germination; do not cover seed.
Source: Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20°C. Seed germinates within 3 months * bog plant; stand pot in 3 cm water