Utricularia gibba
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Introductions
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Economic Impact
- Environmental Impact
- Threatened Species
- Social Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses List
- Detection and Inspection
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
- References
- Links to Websites
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Utricularia gibba L. 1753
Other Scientific Names
- Utricularia biflora Lam.
- Utricularia exoleta R. Br.
- Utricularia fibrosa Walter
- Utricularia gibba subsp. exoleta (R. Br.) P. Taylor
- Utricularia gibba subsp. gibba L.
- Utricularia obtusa Sw.
- Utricularia pumila Walter
International Common Names
- English: gibbous bladderwort; hump-back bladderwort; humped bladder wort; humped bladderwort; humped bladder-wort; swollenspur bladderwort; swollen-spur bladderwort; swollenspurred bladderwort
- Spanish: col de vejigas
- Chinese: shao hua li zao
Local Common Names
- Australia: floating bladderwort
- Hungary: törpe rence
- New Zealand: conespur bladderwort; cone-spur bladderwort; creeping bladderwort; dwarf bladderwort; swollen-spurred bladderwort; yellow bladderwort; yellow flowering bladderwort; yellow-flowering bladderwort
- Slovakia: bublinatka pluzgierkatá
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageU. gibba is an annual or perennial submerged or free-floating carnivorous aquatic plant. It has been identified as such a specialist invasive species and may outcompete native bladderworts in lowland wetland ecosystems in countries where it is introduced. It was intentionally introduced, as an aquarium plant, to New Zealand in 1980, where it is now fully naturalized.
U. gibba is predominantly dispersed by water fowl. It can also rapidly colonise new water bodies by stem fragmentation and via its seeds. It forms a mat over the water surface which reduces light to plants growing beneath and could be a problem for irrigation and drainage. U. gibba is on the National Pest Plant Accord list of New Zealand and is designated as an Unwanted Organism, and banned from sale, propagation and distribution.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Scrophulariales
- Family: Lentibulariaceae
- Genus: Utricularia
- Species: Utricularia gibba
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe Lentibulariaceae (bladderworts) are the largest family of carnivorous plants and comprise ca. 325 species in the three genera Genlisea, Pinguicula, and Utricularia, which are clearly differentiated with regard to their trapping system (Fischer et al., 2004). Utricularia is the most derived genus of the carnivorous family Lentibulariceae. So far, 220 species have been described (Barthlott et al., 2004), of which about 25% are aquatic (Taylor, 1994). All species of this genus are characterised by the presence of traps which are borne in large numbers on stems and leaves. These traps, or 'bladders', operate by sucking in prey which is then digested.
Utricularia gibba L., Sp. Pl. 18. 1753 is the accepted name by IPNI (2012). Various subspecies have been proposed for U. gibba because it is one of the several most variable species in the genus due its large range; however, based largely on the work of Taylor (1989), all of them are considered synonymous. Genus Utricularia is from the Latin utricularius, 'a small bag or bladder'; gibba, from the Latin gibbus, 'hunched, humped', a reference to the inflated base of the lower lip of the corolla.
Description
Top of pageU. gibba is an annual or perennial submerged or free-floating aquatic plant. Rhizoids absent or present, filiform, branched. Stolons filiform, much branched, often mat-forming. Traps lateral on leaf segments, stalked, ovoid, 1-2.5 mm, mouth lateral; appendages 2, dorsal, branched, setiform, with shorter setae. Leaves numerous on stolons, 0.5-1.5 cm; primary segments (1 or) 2, unbranched or sparsely dichotomously branched into 3-8 ultimate segments; ultimate segments capillary, slightly flattened, margin entire or sparsely denticulate, apex and teeth setulose. Inflorescences erect, 2-15 cm, 1-3(-6)-flowered; peduncle terete, 0.3-0.5 mm thick, glabrous; scale 1, similar to bracts; bracts basifixed, semiorbicular, ca. 1 mm, minutely glandular, apex truncate and obscurely dentate. Pedicel erect to spreading, 2-12 mm, filiform; bracteoles absent. Calyx lobes subequal, broadly ovate to orbicular, 1.5-2 mm, apex rounded. Corolla yellow, 4-8 mm; lower lip slightly smaller than upper lip, base with a prominent 2-lobed swelling, apex rounded; spur narrowly conic to cylindric from a conic base, shorter or longer than corolla lower lip, distal part sparsely stipitate glandular, apex obtuse; palate densely pubescent; upper lip broadly ovate to suborbicular, ca. 2 × as long as upper calyx lobe, apex obscurely 3-lobed. Filaments 1-1.5 mm, curved; anther thecae confluent. Ovary globose; style evident; stigma lower lip transversely elliptic, upper lip obsolete. Capsule globose, 2-3 mm in diam., 2-valvate. Seeds lenticular, 0.8-1 mm in diam., margin broadly winged, wing shallowly and irregularly dentate; seed coat with small prominent reticulations (Zhenyu and Cheek, 2011).
Distribution
Top of pageU. gibba has a global distribution, with pan-tropical distribution in particular (Taylor, 1994). It occurs naturally in North America and is well distributed in the following areas: along the east coast throughout Florida and Louisiana, to Quebec and eastern North America; from southern British Columbia to California; and the West Indies (USDA-NRCS, 2012). It is also well distributed in Central and South America (GBIF 2012; Tropicos, 2012); the western Mediterranean (Greuter et al., 1989); southern Africa (African Plants Database, 2012); China, India, South West Asia, the Indian Ocean islands, the Pacific islands (Zhenyu and Cheek, 2011); and Australia (CHAH, 2009; Rowe and Brown, 1992).
In its non-native distribution, it is introduced in the Hawaiian Islands (USDA-NRCS, 2012) and Slovakia and Hungary (DAISIE, 2012). In New Zealand (North Island) it is extensively naturalised (Webb and Sykes, 1997; Salmon, 2001). Further information about the distribution of this species can be found in FBIS (2005).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 10 Feb 2022Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Africa |
|||||||
Algeria | Present, Few occurrences | Native | Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
Angola | Present | Native | |||||
Botswana | Present | Native | Original citation: Africa Plants Database (2012) | ||||
Burundi | Present | Native | |||||
Cameroon | Present | Native | |||||
Congo, Democratic Republic of the | Present | Native | |||||
Côte d'Ivoire | Present | Native | |||||
Egypt | Present, Few occurrences | Native | Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
Eswatini | Present | Native | Original citation: Africa Plants Database (2012) | ||||
Ethiopia | Present | Native | |||||
Gabon | Present | Native | |||||
Kenya | Present | Native | |||||
Lesotho | Present | Native | Original citation: Africa Plants Database (2012) | ||||
Liberia | Present | Native | |||||
Libya | Present, Few occurrences | Native | Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
Madagascar | Present | Native | Original citation: Africa Plants Database (2012) | ||||
Mauritius | Present | Native | |||||
Morocco | Present, Few occurrences | Native | Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
Namibia | Present | Native | Original citation: Africa Plants Database (2012) | ||||
Rwanda | Present | Native | |||||
Senegal | Present | Native | |||||
Sierra Leone | Present | Native | |||||
South Africa | Present | Native | Original citation: Africa Plants Database (2012) | ||||
Sudan | Present | Native | |||||
Tanzania | Present | Native | |||||
Tunisia | Present, Few occurrences | Native | Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
Uganda | Present | Native | |||||
Zambia | Present | Native | |||||
Zimbabwe | Present | Native | |||||
Asia |
|||||||
China | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Anhui | Present | Native | |||||
-Chongqing | Present | Native | |||||
-Fujian | Present | Native | |||||
-Guangdong | Present | Native | |||||
-Guangxi | Present | Native | |||||
-Hainan | Present | Native | |||||
-Henan | Present | Native | |||||
-Hubei | Present | Native | |||||
-Hunan | Present | Native | |||||
-Jiangsu | Present | Native | |||||
-Yunnan | Present | Native | |||||
-Zhejiang | Present | Native | |||||
India | Present | Native | |||||
Indonesia | Present | Native | |||||
Israel | Present | Native | Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
Japan | Present | Native | |||||
Jordan | Present | Native | Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
Malaysia | Present | Native | |||||
Myanmar | Present | Native | |||||
Nepal | Present | Native | |||||
Philippines | Present | Native | |||||
Sri Lanka | Present | Native | |||||
Taiwan | Present | Native | |||||
Thailand | Present | Native | |||||
Vietnam | Present | Native | |||||
Europe |
|||||||
France | Present | Native | |||||
Hungary | Present | Introduced | 1936 | ||||
Portugal | Present | Native | Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
Serbia | Present | Introduced | |||||
Slovakia | Present | Introduced | 1993 | ||||
Spain | Present, Few occurrences | Native | southwest region; Original citation: Greuter et al. (1984) | ||||
North America |
|||||||
Bahamas | Present | Native | |||||
Belize | Present | Native | |||||
Canada | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-British Columbia | Present | Native | |||||
-New Brunswick | Present | Native | |||||
-Nova Scotia | Present | Native | |||||
-Ontario | Present | Native | |||||
-Quebec | Present | Native | |||||
Costa Rica | Present | Native | |||||
El Salvador | Present | Native | |||||
Guadeloupe | Present | Native | |||||
Guatemala | Present | Native | |||||
Honduras | Present | Native | |||||
Jamaica | Present | Native | |||||
Martinique | Present | Native | |||||
Mexico | Present | Native | |||||
Nicaragua | Present | Native | |||||
Panama | Present | Native | |||||
Puerto Rico | Present | Native | |||||
Trinidad and Tobago | Present | Native | |||||
United States | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Alabama | Present | Native | |||||
-Arizona | Present | Native | |||||
-Arkansas | Present | Native | |||||
-California | Present | Native | |||||
-Connecticut | Present | Native | |||||
-Delaware | Present | Native | |||||
-Florida | Present | Native | |||||
-Georgia | Present | Native | |||||
-Hawaii | Present | Introduced | |||||
-Illinois | Present | Native | |||||
-Indiana | Present | Native | |||||
-Iowa | Present | Native | |||||
-Kansas | Present | Native | |||||
-Kentucky | Present | Native | |||||
-Louisiana | Present | Native | |||||
-Maine | Present | Native | |||||
-Maryland | Present | Native | |||||
-Massachusetts | Present | Native | |||||
-Michigan | Present | Native | |||||
-Minnesota | Present | Native | |||||
-Montana | Present | Native | |||||
-New Hampshire | Present | Native | |||||
-New Jersey | Present | Native | |||||
-New York | Present | Native | |||||
-North Carolina | Present | Native | |||||
-Ohio | Present | Native | |||||
-Oklahoma | Present | Native | |||||
-Oregon | Present, Few occurrences | Native | |||||
-Pennsylvania | Absent, Formerly present | ||||||
-Rhode Island | Present | Native | |||||
-South Carolina | Present | Native | |||||
-Tennessee | Present | Native | |||||
-Texas | Present | Native | |||||
-Vermont | Present | Native | |||||
-Virginia | Present | Native | |||||
-Washington | Present | Native | |||||
-West Virginia | Present | Native | |||||
-Wisconsin | Present | Native | |||||
Oceania |
|||||||
Australia | Present | Introduced | 1895 | ||||
-New South Wales | Present | Native | |||||
-Queensland | Present | Native | |||||
-South Australia | Present | Native | |||||
-Victoria | Present | Native | |||||
-Western Australia | Present | Native | |||||
New Caledonia | Present | Native | |||||
New Zealand | Present | Native | |||||
Palau | Present | Native | |||||
Papua New Guinea | Present | Native | |||||
South America |
|||||||
Argentina | Present | Native | |||||
Bolivia | Present | Native | |||||
Brazil | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Bahia | Present | Native | |||||
-Espirito Santo | Present | Native | |||||
-Parana | Present | Native | |||||
-Santa Catarina | Present | Native | |||||
Chile | Present | Native | |||||
Colombia | Present | Native | |||||
Ecuador | Present | Native | |||||
French Guiana | Present | Native | |||||
Guyana | Present | Native | |||||
Paraguay | Present | Native | |||||
Peru | Present | Native | |||||
Uruguay | Present | Native | |||||
Venezuela | Present | Native |
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageU. gibba was first recorded as U. biflora Lam. for New Zealand in 1980 (Bangerter, 1980), where it was probably introduced from Europe and southern USA (NZPCN, 2010). It has spread throughout gum fields and dune lakes in part of northern New Zealand (DOC, 2005) and is currently spreading across the lake landscape in New Zealand (Compton et al., 2012). From 1990 to 2010 it was recorded in nearly 40 lakes (Champion and Clayton, 2000) and between 2004 to 2008 invaded more than 34 lakes in North Island (New Zealand) alone (Winton et al., 2009). It is widely distributed in the northern Auckland region (Champion et al., 2002; Wells and Champion, 2010) and has probably reached its potential range limit in Northland. It is now spreading in Auckland and Waikato Regions (Wells and Champion, 2010).
Introductions
Top of pageIntroduced to | Introduced from | Year | Reason | Introduced by | Established in wild through | References | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Natural reproduction | Continuous restocking | |||||||
New Zealand | 1980 | Aquarium trade (pathway cause) | Yes | Bangerter (1980) | North Island |
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageU. gibba is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant (Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008); it may have been introduced originally as an aquarium plant (Webb et al., 1988). It is predominantly dispersed in New Zealand by water fowl and can rapidly colonise new water bodies by stem fragmentation and seed (Compton et al., 2012), and natural spread between catchments is likely. Currently, the areas in which it appears to be spreading by natural means are limited, and the risk of long-distance spread thus reduced (Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008).
It has also failed weed risk assessments for New Zealand, so further introductions, at least in this region, are unlikely (Champion and Clayton, 2000; 2001). In addition, Plantlife (2010) has identified an urgent need for a detailed risk assessment of U. gibba in the UK; the introduction of this plant into the UK is therefore unlikely. U. gibba is included in the list of environmental weeds in New Zealand (Howell, 2008) and in the First Schedule of the National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA). All plants on the list are designated as Unwanted Organisms, and are banned from sale, propagation and distribution throughout New Zealand (Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008).
Habitat
Top of pageU. gibba is frequent in canals, reservoirs, pools and is well extended in wetlands. It also occurs along lake edges, in lowland marshes and fens (Taylor, 1989; GISD 2012) and in shallow still or slow-flowing water (Rowe and Brown, 1992). In China it is found in bogs and rice fields (Zhenyu and Cheek, 2011). The invaded habitats in New Zealand include lowland freshwater wetlands (Landcare Research, 2012). It is found in pools and backwaters associated with Scirpus spp. in New Zealand (Landcare Research, 2012).
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Riverbanks | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Wetlands | Principal habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Wetlands | Principal habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Freshwater | ||||
Freshwater | Irrigation channels | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
Freshwater | Lakes | Principal habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
Freshwater | Lakes | Principal habitat | Productive/non-natural | |
Freshwater | Reservoirs | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Harmful (pest or invasive) | |
Freshwater | Rivers / streams | Secondary/tolerated habitat | Natural | |
Freshwater | Ponds | Principal habitat | Natural | |
Freshwater | Ponds | Principal habitat | Productive/non-natural |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
In the highly specialized carnivorous family Lentibulariaceae, U. gibba has been found to exhibit significantly lower values of nuclear holoploid genome sizes, with 88 Mbp (megabase pairs of DNA) (Greilhuber et al., 2006). The basic chromosome number of U. gibba is 12n= 28 (Zhenyu and Cheek, 2011). The species closest to U. gibba genetically is U. bremii (Rahman, 2007).
Reproductive Biology
The flowers are hermaphrodite and pollinated either by insects or by self-pollination (Salmon, 2001). U. gibba regenerates naturally from seeds (Champion and Clayton, 2000; Compton, et al., 2012). The vegetative reproduction is by re-sprouts from stem fragments or from rhizomes (NZPCN, 2010). U. gibba differs from all these species in that it has no winter buds in its leaf axils, which are the most common propagation method for other species of Utricularia (Zhenyu and Cheek, 2011).
Physiology and Phenology
In more suitable habitats, U. gibba flowers during the warm time of the year, or year-round in tropical regions (Rice, 1994). In the northern hemisphere, U. gibba is a perennial plant, flowering June-August, when yellow flowers are produced that protrude above the water surface (Rook, 2004); in China, flowering takes place from April to November and fructification from May to December (Zhenyu and Cheek, 2011). In New Zealand and Australia the flowering season is in autumn and can be extended until spring (Rowe and Brown, 1992; Landcare Research, 2012). U. gibba overwinters as a complete plant, not as winter buds, and drops to the bottom of the water where it remains dormant through the winter.
Bladderworts (Polypompholyx and Utricularia spp.) are aquatic carnivorous plants with bladder traps interspersed among photosynthetic leaves, and can only use free CO2 (not HCO3-) for photosynthesis (Adamec, 1997). Bladders contain some chlorophyll, but their rate of photosynthesis is lower than that of leaves and thus entails considerable maintenance costs (Adamec, 2006). Bladder production in Utricularia is a strategy that offsets the ecological disadvantages associated with nutrient-poor environments (Guisande et al., 2007).
The biomass of U. gibba is about 16.8±1.7 g and the largest portion of the biomass is allocated to leaves, stolons and traps (86.66%), whereas the amount of biomass allocated to reproductive structures is 13.44%, a relatively small amount. Porembski et al. (2006) suggest that aquatic Utricularia species rely on vegetative fragments for reproduction and dispersal rather than on seeds.
Associations
In the western USA, U. gibba is associated with species such as algae, Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), watershield (Brasenia sp.), pond lily (Nuphar sp.), purple marshlocks (Potentilla palustris), hoary sedge (Carex canescens) and common rush (Juncus effusus ssp. pacificus) (MDNR, 2005).
Environmental Requirements
The majority of aquatic carnivorous plants usually grow in soft or medium-hard, acid or neutral oligotrophy water with humic acid, which is favourable for the development of carnivorous aquatic plants in general (Adamec, 1997), including the rootless and free-floating bladderwort U. gibba, which is an obligate wetland species (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 1988).
U. gibba is specially adapted to low-nutrient environments such as bogs and swamps (Biosecurity New Zeland, 2008), and increases in abundance when the conditions change from oligotrophic to mesotropic; however, with further change in that direction it decreases in abundance (Preston and Croft, 1997). U. gibba prefers slow-moving, warm water and has moderate shade tolerance (NZPCN, 2010). These factors best explain the occurrence of U. gibba in New Zealand (Compton et al., 2012).
U. gibba appears to be restricted to shallow water, where it forms floating rafts amongst and on the immediate open edge of the reeds (HEAR, 2005). In New Zealand's lakes, where it is invasive, it appears to grow deeper than 3.0 m (Wells and Champion, 2010).
In its western area of distribution in the USA, it is found at altitudes of 50 to 150 m (MDNR, 2005). In China it is found from near sea level to 900 m (Zhenyu and Cheek, 2011), but can also be found as high as 2500 m (Taylor, 1989).
Climate
Top of pageClimate | Status | Description | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
Af - Tropical rainforest climate | Preferred | > 60mm precipitation per month | |
Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Preferred | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Tolerated | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Tolerated | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
Cf - Warm temperate climate, wet all year | Preferred | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, wet all year | |
Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summer | Preferred | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summers | |
Cw - Warm temperate climate with dry winter | Preferred | Warm temperate climate with dry winter (Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry winters) | |
Ds - Continental climate with dry summer | Tolerated | Continental climate with dry summer (Warm average temp. > 10°C, coldest month < 0°C, dry summers) |
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of pageLatitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
---|---|---|---|
50 | 40 |
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageRook (2004) reports that in America, U. gibba is occasionally eaten by muskrats, ducks and other waterfowl.
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageNatural Dispersal (Non-Biotic)
U. gibba is likely to be spread by water movement (NZPCN, 2010).
Vector Transmission (Biotic)
U. gibba is predominantly dispersed in New Zealand by water fowl (Compton et al., 2012) as well by human activity via contaminated machinery, boats and trailers (NZPCN, 2010), or via contaminated nets for eels or with the release of grass carp (Wells and Champion, 2010).
Accidental Introduction
It is not reported to be introduced accidentally, but Salmon (2001) suggests that it may be self-introduced to northern New Zealand by water birds from eastern Australia.
Intentional Introduction
U. gibba is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant and it may have been introduced originally as an aquarium plant (Webb et al., 1988). It has spread by escaping from garden ponds and dumped aquaria contents (NZPCN, 2010).
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fisheries | Yes | Wells and Champion (2010) | ||
Pet trade | Yes | Webb et al. (1988) |
Pathway Vectors
Top of pageVector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Host and vector organisms | Water fowl | Yes | Compton et al. (2012) | |
Machinery and equipment | Yes | NZPCN (2010) | ||
Water | Yes | NZPCN (2010) |
Economic Impact
Top of pageU. gibba forms mats over the water surface; in New Zealand it has been reported that this could be a problem for irrigation and drainage (Champion and Clayton, 2000; Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008).
Environmental Impact
Top of pageImpact on Habitats
In small and shallow water bodies, and especially when U. gibba is associated with epiphyton, it forms a dense mat which reduced light to plants growing beneath (Wells and Champion, 2010).
Impact on Biodiversity
In New Zealand, U. gibba has been identified as outcompeting and threatening native, endangered bladderworts including U. dichotoma and U. delicatula, and sundews including Drosera auriculata, D. peltata and the forked sundew D. binate (DOC 2005; HEAR, 2005; Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008).
Threatened Species
Top of pageThreatened Species | Conservation Status | Where Threatened | Mechanism | References | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drosera auriculata | No Details | Competition - monopolizing resources; Competition - shading | Biosecurity New Zealand (2008); DOC (2005); HEAR (2005) | ||
Drosera binata | No Details | Competition - monopolizing resources; Competition - shading | Biosecurity New Zealand (2008); DOC (2005); HEAR (2005) | ||
Drosera peltata | No Details | Competition - monopolizing resources; Competition - shading | Biosecurity New Zealand (2008); DOC (2005); HEAR (2005) | ||
Utricularia delicatula | No Details | Competition - monopolizing resources; Competition - shading | Biosecurity New Zealand (2008); DOC (2005); HEAR (2005) | ||
Utricularia dichotoma | No Details | Competition - monopolizing resources; Competition - shading | Biosecurity New Zealand (2008); DOC (2005); HEAR (2005) |
Social Impact
Top of pageU. gibba is reported as a weed in botanic gardens throughout the world; it poses no known harm to human health (Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008).
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Has a broad native range
- Fast growing
- Has high reproductive potential
- Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
- Reproduces asexually
- Damaged ecosystem services
- Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
- Modification of natural benthic communities
- Modification of nutrient regime
- Reduced amenity values
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Threat to/ loss of endangered species
- Threat to/ loss of native species
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Competition - shading
- Rapid growth
- Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
- Highly likely to be transported internationally illegally
- Difficult to identify/detect as a commodity contaminant
Detection and Inspection
Top of pageAn interactive key for invasive plants in New Zealand has been developed by Dawson et al. (2010).
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
Top of pageUtricularia species can be distinguished from all other plants by the bladders on the leaves when these are present. Otherwise, they can be distinguished by the finely dissected compound leaves which are divided in two; this is as opposed to Batrachian Ranunculus species, which are divided in three; or Cabomba caroliniana, which are divided more than three times. Plants are also not rooted in the substrate. U. gibba is difficult to distinguish from C. caroliniana in its vegetative condition, but it could be distinguished from other bladderworts by its bottom-creeping habit and by leaves which radiate from the base of the flower stalk.
In New Zealand, as regards non-native distribution, the only bladderwort resembling U. gibba is the rare U. protrusa, which has many-branched, filamentous leaves, 2-3 mm long bladders, 9 mm diameter flowers (rarely seen). It is found only in still, nutrient-poor water (NZPCN, 2010).
The internal glands of the bladders could be used in the identication of Utricularia species (Yuen-Po et al., 2009).
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
U. gibba spreads naturally in its non-native range and is too widespread and to enable it to be managed effectively (Wells and Champion, 2010). It is difficult to control due to a lack of effective control methods and its aquatic habitat (Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008), as well as its resistance to sprays (HEAR, 2005).
Prevention
U. gibba is on the National Pest Plant Accord list; all the pest plants included on the list are designated as Unwanted Organisms and are banned from sale, propagation and distribution throughout New Zealand (Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008).
Early Warning Systems
U. gibba is included on the weed list of New Zealand and is included in early-warning biosecurity systems.
Public Awareness
In New Zealand, the regional council determines the status of U. gibba and is responsible for control and/or advice on control (Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008).
Physical/Mechanical Control
At small sites, such as in pools, it can be controlled by mechanical removal or by using weed matting.
Biological Control
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, a naturally occurring pathogen of many weeds, has been tested on U. gibba but did not show any potential as a control agent (Waipara et al., 2006).
Chemical Control
No information is available on any chemical control methods attempted on this species.
Monitoring and Surveillance (incl. Remote Sensing)
U. gibba is included in Surveillance Pest Plants as a species that have been identified as having significant impacts on the biosecurity values of the Auckland region (New Zealand). This measure will reduce the further spread and establishment of the species throughout the region by prohibiting its sale, propagation, distribution and exhibition (Auckland Council, 2012).
Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs
Top of pageFurther work is needed on reproduction strategies in native and introduced ranges. More research needs to be carried out on control methods, including biocontrol studies, particularly in New Zealand, where U. gibba is already invasive.
References
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Adamec L, 1997. Mineral nutrition of carnivorous plants - a review. Bot. Rev. Botanical Review, 63:273-299.
Adamec L, 2007. Oxygen concentrations inside the traps of the carnivorous plants Utricularia and Genlisea (Lentibulariaceae). Annals of Botany, 100:849-856.
Auckland Council, 2012. Surveillance pest plants. Regional Pest Management Strategy (RPMS). Auckland Regional Pest Strategy 2007-2012. Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland Council. http://www.arc.govt.nz/environment/biosecurity/regional-pest-management-strategy-rpms/regional-pest-management-strategy-rpms_home.cfm
Bangerter EB, 1980. New and interesting records of adventive plants from the Auckland Institute and Museum 5. Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum, 16:77-85.
Barthlott W; Porembski S; Seine R; Theisen I, 2004. Carnivores. Stuttgart, Germany: Eugen Ulmer.
Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008. National Plant Pest Accord. Wellington, New Zealand: MAF Biosecurity, 134 pp.
CHAH, 2009. Australian Plant Census. Integrated Botanical Information System (IBIS). Canberra, Australia: Australian National Herbarium. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/wintab
Champion P; Clayton J; David R, 2002. Alien invaders. Hamilton, New Zealand: National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd. and Ministry for the Environment, 51 pp.
CJBG (Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève); SAMBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute), 2012. African Plants Database (version 3. 4.0). http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/index.php
DAISIE, 2012. European Invasive Alien Species Gateway. European Invasive Alien Species Gateway. http://www.europe-aliens.org/
Dawson M; Navie S; James T; Heenan P; Champion P, 2010. Weeds Key - interactive key to the weed species of New Zealand. Weeds Key. Lincoln, New Zealand: Landcare Research (online). http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/research/biosystematics/plants/weedskey/
DOC, 2005. Carnivorous Weeds on the Loose. Have you Seen These Plants? Carnivorous Weeds on the Loose. Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland Conservancy, Department of Conservation.
FBIS, 2005. New Zealand distribution of Utricularia gibba. NIWA, Auckland, New Zealand: Freshwater Biodata Information System (FBIS) (online). https://secure.niwa.co.nz/fbis/displaycommonsearches.do?newSearch=true
Fischer E; Barthlott W; Seine R; Theisen I, 2004. .
Fischer E; Barthlott W; Seine R; Theisen I, 2004. Lentibulariaceae. In: The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants [ed. by Kubitzki, K.]. Berlin, Germany: Springer, 276-282.
GBIF, 2012. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). http://data.gbif.org
GISD, 2012. Utricularia gibba. Global Invasive Species Database (GISD). Global Invasive Species Database (online). http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=894&fr=1&sts=&lang=EN
Gordon E; Pacheco S, 2007. Prey composition in the carnivorous plants Utricularia inflata and U. gibba (Lentibulariaceae) from Paria Peninsula, Venezuela. Revista de Biologia Tropica, 55(3-4):795-803.
Greuter W; Burdet HM; Long G, 1989. Med-Checklist Vol. 4. Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève.
Guiral D; Rougier C, 2007. Trap size and prey selection of two coexisting bladderwort (Utricularia) species in a pristine tropical pond (French Guiana) at different trophic levels. International Journal of Limnology, 43(3):147-159.
Guisande C; Granado-Lorencio C; Andrade-Sossa C; Duque SR, 2007. Bladderworts. Functional Plant Science and Biotechnology, 1:58-68.
Harms S, 2002. The effect of bladderwort (Utricularia) predation on microcrustacean prey. Freshwater Biology, 47:1608-1617.
HEAR, 2005. Weed lists and links to weed lists. New Zeland. Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR). HEAR (online). http://www.hear.org/weedlists/other_areas/nz/nzecoweeds.htm#weedsofconcern
IPNI, 2012. International Plant Names Index. Kew\Cambridge, MA\Canberra, UK\USA\Australia. Royal Botanic Gardens\The Harvard University Herbaria\Australian National Herbarium. http://www.ipni.org/
Juniper BE; Robins RJ; Joel DM, 1989. The carnivorous plants. London, UK: Academic Press Limited.
Landcare Research, 2012. Utricularia biflora. Ecological Traits of New Zeland Flora. Lincoln, New Zealand: Landcare Research New Zeland Limited (online). www.landcareresearch.co.nz
MDNR, 2005. Utricularia gibba: humped bladderwort. Utricularia gibba. Olympia, USA: Washington Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). http://www.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/fguide/pdf/utrgib.pdf
Menezes M; Silva C, 2008. Contribution to the knowledge of amphibious communities in southern Portugal. (Contribuicao para o conhecimento das comunidades anfibias no sul de Portugal.) Acta Botanica Brasilica, 22(3):771-781.
Mette N; Wilbert N; Barthlott W, 2000. Food composition of aquatic bladderworts (Utricularia, Lentibulariaceae) in various habitats. Beiträge zur Biologie der Pflanzen (Contributions to Plant Biology), 72:1-13.
Missouri Botanical Garden, 2012. Tropicos database. St Louis, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/
NZPCN, 2010. Utricularia gibba. Flora Details. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN). http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.asp?ID=2612
Olvera M, 1996. The genus Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) in Mexico. (El Genero Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) en Mexico.) Anales del instituto de biologia de la universidad nacional autonoma de Mexico. Serie Botanica (Annals of the Institute of Biology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Botanical Series), 67(2):347-384.
Plantlife, 2010. Here today, here tomorrow?. Horizon scanning for invasive non-native plants. Salisbury, UK: Plantlife International, 20pp.
Rahman MO, 2007. DNA fingerpriting in Utricularia L. Section Utricularia as revealed by PCR based assay. International Journal of Botany, 3(1):56-63.
Rice BM, 1994. Focusing on U. gibba: the "U" stands for ubiquitous!. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, 23(1):19-23.
Rook EJS, 2004. Utricularia gibba: Humped bladderwort. The Natural History of the Northwoods. A Boundary Waters Compendium. http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/aquatics/utriculariagib.html
Rowe R; Brown EA, 1992. New South Wales Flora Online: Utricularia gibba. New South Wales Flora Online. Sydney, Australia: Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgiin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Utriculariãgibba
Salmon B, 2001. Carnivorous Plants of New Zealand. Auckland, New Zealand: Ecosphere Publications.
Seine R; Porembski S; Balduin M; Theisen I; Wilbert N; Barthlott W, 2002. Different prey strategies of terrestrial and aquatic species in the carnivorous genus Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae). Botanische Jahrbücher (Plant Diversity and Evolution), 124:71-76.
Sydenham PH; Findlay GP, 1973. The rapid movement of the bladderwort Utricularia sp. Australian Journal of Biological Sciences, 26:1115-1126.
Taylor P, 1989. The Genus Utricularia - a taxonomic monograph. Kew Bulletin Additional Series, 14:572-583.
Taylor P, 1994. The genus Utricularia - a taxonomic monograph, 2nd edn. The genus Utricularia. London, UK: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, 736 pp.
USDA-NRCS, 2012. The PLANTS Database. Baton Rouge, USA: National Plant Data Center. http://plants.usda.gov/
Vintejoux C, 1973. Ultrastructural studies of some aspects of glandular cells in relation to their secretive activity in Utricularia neglecta L. (Lentibulariaceae). (Etudes des aspects ultrastructuraux de certaines cellules glandulaires en rapport avec leur activite secretive chez l'Utricularia neglecta L. (Lentibulariaceae).) Comptes rendus de l'Académie des Sciences (Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences) D, 277:2345-2348.
Vintejoux C, 1974. Ultrastructural and cytochemical observations on the digestive glands of Utricularia neglecta L. (Lentibulariaceae). Distribution of protease and acid phosphatase activities. Portugaliae Acta Biologica, 14:463-471.
Vintejoux C; Shoar-Ghafari A, 2005. Digestive glands of the bladderwort: ultrastructure and functions. (Glandes digestives de l'Utriculaire: ultrastructures et fonctions.) Acta Botanica Gallica, 152:131-145.
Webb CJ; Sykes WR; Garnock-Jones PJ, 1988. Flora of New Zealand Vol IV: Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons. Christchurch, New Zealand: Botany Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Wells R; Champion P, 2010. Northland Lakes Ecological Status 2010. NIWA Project: NRC10202. Hamilton, New Zealand: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd.
Yuen-Po Y; Ho-Yih L; Yi-Shan CT, 2009. Trap gland morphology and its systematic implications in Taiwan Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae). Flora, 204:692-699.
Zhenyu L; Cheek MR, 2011. Flora of China [ed. by Wu, Z. Y. \Raven, P. H. \Hong, D. Y.]. Science Press, Beijing, China; Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St Louis, USA.
Distribution References
Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008. National Plant Pest Accord., Wellington, New Zealand: MAF Biosecurity. 134 pp.
CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status inferred from regional distribution. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated b. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CHAH, 2009. Australian Plant Census. In: Integrated Botanical Information System (IBIS), Canberra, Australia: Australian National Herbarium. http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/wintab
DAISIE, 2012. Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe. http://www.europe-aliens.org/
FBIS, 2005. New Zealand distribution of Utricularia gibba., Auckland, New Zealand: NIWA; Freshwater Biodata Information System (FBIS) (online). https://secure.niwa.co.nz/fbis/displaycommonsearches.do?newSearch=true
GBIF, 2012. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. http://www.gbif.org/species
Menezes M, Silva C, 2008. Contribution to the knowledge of amphibious communities in southern Portugal. (Contribuicao para o conhecimento das comunidades anfibias no sul de Portugal). In: Acta Botanica Brasilica, 22 (3) 771-781.
Missouri Botanical Garden, 2012. Tropicos database., St Louis, USA: Missouri Botanical Garden. http://www.tropicos.org/
Olvera M, 1996. The genus Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) in Mexico. (El Genero Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) en Mexico). In: Anales del instituto de biologia de la universidad nacional autonoma de Mexico. Serie Botanica (Annals of the Institute of Biology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Botanical Series), 67 (2) 347-384.
Rowe R, Brown EA, 1992. New South Wales Flora Online: Utricularia gibba. In: New South Wales Flora Online, Sydney, Australia: Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgiin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Utriculariãgibba
USDA-NRCS, 2012. The PLANTS Database. Greensboro, North Carolina, USA: National Plant Data Team. https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov
Wells R, Champion P, 2010. Northland Lakes Ecological Status 2010. NIWA Project: NRC10202., Hamilton, New Zealand: National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research Ltd.
Zhenyu L, Cheek MR, 2011. Flora of China., [ed. by Wu ZY, Raven PH, Hong DY]. Beijing; St Louis, China; USA: Science Press; Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Links to Websites
Top of pageWebsite | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
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