Aquarium Plants 81 



FREE FLOATING PLANTS. 



Free floating or swimming plants are all 

 those which do not fasten their roots in the 

 soil, but float freely in or upon the water. 

 Some have hardly any roots at all, others 

 send their long, threadlike roots down to the 

 bottom. Several of the floating plants are 

 good oxygenators, while others are very 

 beautiful and highly decorative. 



Common Bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) 

 is one of many varieties, all very interest- 

 ing and handsome. While this plant may 

 form roots, it is always to be seen floating 

 close to the surface of the water. The 

 leaves are finely laciniated, almost feathery. 

 They carry bright green blisters or bladders 

 which contain air and keep the plant float- 

 ing. 



The flowers of the Bladderwort are yel- 

 low, quite ornamental and of an unusual 

 shape, resembling to some extent a small 

 orchid flower. The plant under favorable 



