Utricularia longifolia is from Southest Bresil, Rio de Janeiro State growing at sea level, up to1000 meters. A large robust perennial terrestrial. One of the easiest epiphytes to grow. Produces long narrow leaves up to 35 cm long and 3 cm wide. It has the largest leaves in the genus. The leaves of Utricularia longifolia can reach rarely a meter in length. Lovely mauve flowers with golden blotch produced over a long period. It flowers up to an inch across. The bladder-trap is unique to the Utricularia, giving them their nickname of Bladderworts. Utricularia has no true root system. They form creeping or floating, thin, hair-like stems that extended away from the main body of the plant. The bladder-traps are held on these stems. Most of the traps are underground and are too small to hand feed. So, it has to catch it's own microscopic prey. Thin, filament-like hairs protrude from the trap door. These serve as guides to send the prey toward the door. These plants use low pressure inside the chamber vs. high pressure outside. When a bug activates the hairs, the door opens quickly, forcing the victim into the low-pressure digestion area. The water is pumped out and the mulcilage seal is re-established. The plant now secrets digestive juices to break down the captured prey and absorb the mineral rich fluid. Trapping usually occurs within 1/50 of a second. It is believed that glands found around the closed entry may also secrete an attractant that may aid in luring prey. Hardiness zone 11, (4øC/40øF) in Winter. This plant is grown in pure live sphagnum, you can also use one part live sphagnum moss for one part perlite. Grow in bright to diffused light with a temperature of 15-20øC in Winter and 20-35 øC in Summer. Utricularia make excellent additions to any terrarium or bright window sill. Epiphytic Utricularia prefer frequent overhead watering, at least once a day in Summer, and once every few days in Winter. To overcome dry periods, some of the species such as Utricularia longifolia, have tubes in which they are able to store moisture. Like other carnivorous plants, they do require pure water and can be killed by fertilizer in the soil.