Utricularia ×japonica ("Tanukimo")

Japanese name: タヌキモ （狸藻）
Scientific name: Utricularia ×japonica

[Overview]
A hybrid between Inu-tanukimo and Oo-tanukimo, this perennial is found in oligotrophic to mesotrophic water such as reservoirs, lakes and marshes.
It is a carnivorous plant.
It has no roots and is free-floating.
The stem branches and sometimes grows as long as 1 m.
The leaves are alternate and fork in two from the base; each segment is broadly lanceolate, 3–5 cm long, further divided in a pinnate manner, and spreads flat.
The leaf lobes are thread-like, with small bristles on the margins and tips.
In autumn it forms green winter buds 0.5–1.5 cm across at the stem tips.
The leaves that make up the winter buds have a distinct central axis and branch pinnately, and each lobe is spaced apart as in the leaves of the growing season.
The leaf lobes bear many ovoid bladders; each bladder has a valve that opens inward, and when a small animal such as a water flea approaches, the valve opens and sucks it in.
A raceme is borne on a flower stalk that stands upright 10–25 cm above the water surface; the flower stalk has scale-like leaves, and its cross section is hollow in the center.
There are 4–10 flowers, yellow and two-lipped, about 1 cm across; the base of the lower lip is swollen and marked with reddish brown spots.
There is a spur behind the flower.
It does not set fruit.

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