Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
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Butterwort (pinguicula)

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is home to many animals but we are also very involved in cultivating plants from our animals’ wild habitat. You can see some of these plants with the animals in their habitats or you can see them in our Victorian Greenhouse. Many of the plants are endangered just like many of the animals.
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Description: The Butterwort plant is a small herbaceous plant has produces rosettes of flat leaves with upturned margins. The leaves are soft greenish-yellow colors that also have a slightly greasy or buttery feel. The Latin name actually means “little greasy one”. Some gardeners actually use butterwort as natural pest control.

The leaf surface is covered in minute, sticky hairs that produce a resin to catch small prey like gnats, fruit flies and springtails.  The struggling of the prey causes sessile glands to secrete a liquid of enzymes and acids that rapidly overcome and dissolve the prey.  The butterwort absorbs the mineral-rich soup.

The Butterwort blooms in spring with yellow, pink, purple or white flowers. The flower appears atop a tall spindly stalk well away from the body of the plant.

The name Butterwort includes an entire genus of remarkable plants. Over 80 species fit within the genus so the size can vary from 2 to 12 inches in diameter.

Butterworts from cold winter climates hibernate as small buds.  Species from Mexico turn into non-carnivorous succulent plants during the subtropical winter dry season.

Range: Butterworts can be found in the northern hemisphere from Siberia to North America and as far south as Central and South America. Mexico is home to the widest variety.

Habitat: Habitats for the differing versions of the Butterwort quite naturally vary in some ways. But, the greatest percentages of them most commonly grow in regions consisting of nutrient-poor, high alkaline soils.

Life: This plant is hummingbird-pollinated.

Life Span: Varies greatly based on genus and habitat.

Status: Varies greatly based on genus and habitat.
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​203-394-6565
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1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06610
Open 9am-4pm daily
​Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is dedicated to acquainting a diverse public to the delicate balance that exists between living things and their environment.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is a 501(c)(3) not for profit owned and operated by the Connecticut Zoological Society.

2019 Kids Out and About #1
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Connecticut - Still Revolutionary
Weekly Best of Fairfield County Readers' Poll 2014
FC Buzz Events - Arts & Culture of Fairfield County
© 2022 Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo
  • Home
  • About
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Jobs
    • Press
  • Guest Info
    • Accessibility
    • Calendar
    • For Kids >
      • Coloring Pages
      • Zoo Patrol
      • Zoo Tots
    • Our Animals >
      • Eastern Rat Snake
    • Our Plants
    • Parents
    • Zoo Cams >
      • Outdoor Red Panda Cam
      • Indoor Red Panda Cam
      • Outdoor Spider Monkey Cam
      • Indoor Spider Monkey Cam
      • Otter Cam
    • Zoo Etiquette
    • Zoo Map
  • Membership
  • Education
    • Zoo to You!
    • Digital Programs
    • Kids & Teens
    • Field Trips
    • Cool Blue Bridgeport
    • Educational Resources
  • Support
    • Animal Sponsorship
    • Appeal
    • Corporate Support
    • Donate
    • Events
    • Gift Guide
    • Honor & Remember
    • Monthly Giving
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Wish List
  • Birthdays, Private Events & Weddings
    • Birthdays
    • Private Events
    • Weddings
    • Rates and Details
  • Volunteer
    • Interns
  • Buy Tickets