Family
Lentibulariaceae
Botanical Name
PINGUICULA moranensis
Plant Common Name
Mexican Butterwort
General Description
This tender perennial from moist forested uplands of Mexico and northern Guatemala is grown for its showy flowers and its curious rosettes of insect-trapping leaves.
In spring and summer, Mexican butterwort produces rosettes of fleshy, elliptical, pale green leaves that glisten with droplet-producing, insect-snaring hairs. The leaf margins roll inward to further ensnare trapped insects, which are digested by glands on the leaf surface. In fall, the insectivorous foliage is replaced by a compact rosette of small, non-glandular leaves. Two-lipped, five-lobed, violet-like flowers are borne singly on short leafless stems in spring and summer. The purple to pink flowers have a long back-projecting spur. Plants may self sow in moist environments, with hybrid seedlings sometimes resulting.
This tropical butterwort thrives in organic, infertile soil, full to partial sun, and high humidity. It will tolerate a brief touch of frost. It works well in peat beds or moist rock gardens in frost-free climates, and also makes an excellent greenhouse or terrarium plant. Provide regular water from late spring to early fall, and withhold water at other times. Propagate this tender perennial by seed or by separating offsets from winter rosettes in early spring.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Rosette/Stemless
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Pink, Magenta, Violet
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Light Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Light Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Light Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Light Green, Yellow Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
