Butterworts (Pinguicula)

It may be easy to overlook the delicate, unassuming butterwort, but don't be fooled. Butterwort (Pinguicula) plants are some of the most shockingly effective carnivorous plants around. Butterworts grow rosettes of green or pink leaves covered with tiny droplets of sticky liquid. Small insects become stuck to the leaves, and are slowly digested and absorbed by the butterwort. Butterworts also frequently produce beautiful flowers that tend to resemble tiny orchids. Photo by Noah Elhardt.