WHAT ARE PINGUICULA

Pinguicula, or more commonly known as butterwort are carnivorous plants. The name in Latin means “little greasy one” that refers to the oily texture of the trapping surface of the leaf. Some carnivorous plant enthusiasts have grown so fond of their “little greasy one” that they affectionately call them “Pings”. They are fairly easy to grow and typically grow in a rosette fashion of a few inches in diameter.

HOW DO THEY CAPTURE INSECTS

Pings uses an active flypaper trap. The surface of its leaves is covered with a multitude of glands that produces a sticky substance to capture small insects. Many species are able to curl the edges of their leaves upward to prevent the nutrient-rich fluids from spilling out.

WHERE CAN I FIND PINGUICULA

Pings are primarily found in the northen hemisphere. Some are temperate species from temperate climate with long cold winters. These species require winter dormancy. Others are from subtropical and tropical climate. Many easy to grow species come from Mexico that do not require an actual dormancy period.

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