Description Genlisea

genlisea subglabra leaves

genlisea small herbs, growing slender rhizome , bearing 2 morphologically distinct leaf types - photosynthetic foliage leaves aboveground , highly modified subterranean leaves used trap prey. plants lack roots, although subterranean traps perform many of functions performed roots, such anchorage , water absorption.

several many flowers held slender, erect, , tall inflorescence. in other members of bladderwort family, corolla fused bilobed tube tapering spur, lower lip of corolla having 3 lobes. calyx five-lobed, in contrast utricularia s three-lobed calyx. corolla colors yellow or violet mauve, although few species white or cream.

the foliage leaves grow in hemisphere around growth point. depending on species, these leaves linear spatulate in shape , 0.5–5 cm (¼–2 in) in length.

the subterranean traps white, lacking chlorophyll or other pigmentation. consist of cylindrical stalk, widening @ distance below surface hollow bulb-like utricle, , continuing hollow cylinder further distance. @ point stalk bifurcates 2 furrowed spirals, between cylinder opening acts trap entrance. furrows of spiraled trap arms lined hairs pointing inward , toward bifurcation. hollow cylinder section leading bifurcation utricle likewise lined upward-pointing curved hairs. species produce 2 trap forms, 1 shorter , 1 longer, target different prey groups.