er1kksen's Favourites

I recently noticed that @thilokrueger had annotated numerous Ohio iNat observations of Utricularia intermedia to U. ochroleuca, a rare boreal species not known to Ohio and just recently found in Michigan for the first time and on the Keweenaw peninsula of the UP no less. I was skeptical to say the least and decided to visit the site where dozens of observations for “intermedia” had been made as well as check other nearby locations with “intermedia” records.

Following flora of Michigan’s key and reading @rroutledge and @alexgraeff ‘s paper on the Michigan find, I’m pretty convinced this is indeed U. ochroleuca. The flowers bear shorter spurs with come off at about a 45° angle to intermedia’s longer/narrower spurs that hug the lower lip. Also, the presence of two types of stems/leaves (white subterranean and green photosynthetic) and both bearing bladders really clinches the ID.

I plan to send photos/notes to experts but I’m tickled this isn’t the wild goose chase I thought it would be initially. Credit and kudos to thilokrueger for noticing this!

I found this at two different sites and failed to find it at a third. This is from the “original” site. I have other sites to check as I’m curious if we have true intermedia anywhere in the fen county of western Ohio…

In short, this is a substantial find/realization for Ohio’s and the Great Lakes flora. Considerate range extension for a boreal species. Hoping others can weigh in and confirm.

I identified this in the field using J. Jenkins' Northern Flora Atlas Sedge Guide. Specimen was collected and pressed by my NYNHP colleague that day; specimen ID later confirmed by NYNHP's Chief Botanist (Specimen scan by NYNHP).