- Fatty herbs are mainly found in Central America
- Butterwort species in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- Characteristics of butterwort species
- Use as an ornamental plant
Butterwort is one of the carnivorous plants (carnivores), which are mostly cultivated by enthusiasts in pots. There are numerous species worldwide, but most of them are native to Central America. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland there are only a few fatty herbs that thrive in the wild.
The butterwort is one of four wild butterwort species in Central Europe
Fatty herbs are mainly found in Central America
85 different species of butterwort are known to date. By far the largest part grows in Central and South America. Only in Australia and New Zealand are no native butterwort species found.
Butterwort species in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
In Central Europe there are four types of butterwort that also grow in the wild.
- Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris)
- Alpine Butterwort (Pinguicula alpina)
- Thin-spurred butterwort (Pinguicula leptocera) (Austria and Switzerland)
- Butterwort (Pinguicula grandiflora) (Switzerland)
Due to its location requirements, butterwort is often limited to certain areas. Due to changing environmental conditions, butterworts are threatened with extinction in Germany and are therefore under nature protection. They may not be dug up, picked or cut.
Characteristics of butterwort species
All succulents form a basal rosette. It can be colored differently depending on the time of growth. The flowers appear from May to August and are on a 10 to 15 centimeter long stalk. They are similar in shape to violets and are usually violet or violet-white in colour. If they are pollinated, ovaries form in which the black seeds ripen.
The green or pink colored leaves of butterwort serve as storage for moisture and nutrients. They are equipped with glands that secrete a sticky fluid. When insects settle on the leaf, they stick to it.
The butterwort uses enzymes to digest the insects it has caught. After a few days, only the chitin armor is recognizable as a shell.
Use as an ornamental plant
Fat herbs are enjoying increasing popularity with hobby gardeners because of their flowers. The plants are also often kept in the kitchen or in the herb bed to eliminate fruit flies and fungus gnats.
tips
Butterwort can be easily cultivated in a pot in a bright but not too sunny location. It prefers lean substrate and needs to be watered regularly, especially in summer. Fertilizing is not necessary.