FLORA OF ICELAND elements: Pinguicula vulgaris, Common Butterwort, Lyfjagras

Pinguicula vulgaris; the common butterwort can be found in heather lands and pastures. It is a "semi-carnivorous" plant trapping small flies by sticky fluids from glands on the leaves. As soon as an insect is trapped it will fold its leaves in order to enfold the insect. This reaction is triggered by both the struggling movements of the insect and chemical recognition. It can however, grow well without trapping insects.
It is a member of the Bladderwort family Lentibulariaceae. The Icelandic name of this species is Lyfjagras.