Lentibulariaceae

Michael (IFMJC@ASUVM.INRE.ASU.EDU)
Sun, 07 Nov 1993 08:36:34 -0700 (MST)

Barry was kind enough to give me a Genlisea on our last meeting. I had never
seen one before. Subsequent discussion of Genlisea traps revealed that I
didn't know a whole lot about the plant, and this sparked a renewed curiosity
in Lentibulariaceae anatomy... :-)

I am under the impression that the "leaves" (green, photosynthetic, laminate
organs) of Utricularia are actually flattened stems, or cladodes. I am
also under the impression that the traps of Utricularia are derived from
"true leaves" (modified leaves, not modified stems like the photosynthetic
organs on Utricularia). If so, are the traps the ONLY structures on
Utricularia with a foliar origin? What about the bracts on the scape?

The floats on some Utricularia (ie. U. inflata) are derived from stem
tissue, not bladders, I would assume?

Does Genlisea have the same idiosyncratic anatomy as Utricularia? ie. are
Genlisea traps modified leaves, are Genlisea leaves actually modified stems?
Does this plant also totally lack true roots?

-Michael