Pinguicula vulgaris
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644000672d8e9556124350 |
| Scientific name | Pinguicula vulgaris |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 17 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Pinguicula vulgaris, the common butterwort, is a small carnivorous herb whose slimy leaves were traditionally used in Europe and Scandinavia to dress wounds and milk sores. In Swedish folk medicine the fresh leaves were crushed and applied as a poultice to sores and bruises; in Estonia the pressed leaves were placed on sores and fevered sites; in the highlands of the Czech Republic the leaf was also macerated in spirits and used externally as a rub for rheumatic pain (Tschirch, 1909; Kroeber, 1950; Varga et al., 1989; Lignell, 1997). In some Scandinavian accounts the fresh leaves were made into a mild infusion for coughs and colds, while in Alpine traditions the herb was included in compounds for respiratory complaints (Varga et al., 1989; Lignell, 1997).
To prepare a mildly astringent poultice for topical use, thoroughly wash and gently crush a small handful of fresh leaves (about 20–30 g). Spread the material on a clean gauze pad and apply to the area for 20–30 minutes, refreshing the layer if it dries. Avoid extensive, prolonged occlusion and discontinue if irritation occurs; because the plant is not widely studied for internal use, do not ingest preparations unless guided by a qualified practitioner, and pregnant or nursing individuals should avoid oral preparations (Kroeber, 1950; Lignell, 1997).
Modern chemistry supports the traditional topical astringency of Pinguicula vulgaris. The leaves accumulate mucilaginous polysaccharides that form the characteristic slime, while their cuticular exudate contains phenolic acids such as cinnamic and caffeic acids and flavonoids (especially quercetin and luteolin derivatives) known for astringency and mild antioxidant activity; sesquiterpene lactones contribute bitterness and antibacterial activity, consistent with wound-care applications (Lignell, 1997; Kreft et al., 1998; Komulainen et al., 2000).
Although clinical trials are limited, Pinguicula vulgaris remains of commercial interest to specialty herbalists and traditional users in northern Europe, where leaf extracts continue to appear in small-batch topical salves and poultice blends sold through Nordic herb retailers (Komulainen et al., 2000).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Scientific and model-organism use:
Whole-genome and organellar genome sequencing are available for Pinguicula vulgaris, providing data for phylogenomics, gene family evolution, and comparative genomics of carnivorous plant adaptations in GenBank and CNCFlora databases. The species is cultivated and studied as a reference for carnivory traits (e.g., tentacle and glandular head morphology, mucilage composition, prey-induced enzyme secretion). Phenolic chemistry (particularly flavonoids) is documented from anatomical studies, supporting its use in comparative pigment and mucopolysaccharide analysis. The epithet “vulgaris” and taxonomic usage are recorded in major plant databases (e.g., Kew Plants of the World Online).
Properties relevant to use:
Physicochemical features underpinning its utility include:
- An epidermis with long-stalked glands that secrete a hydrophilic polysaccharide-rich mucilage, conferring strong adhesive and hygroscopic properties.
- Short-stalked glands that release digestive enzymes (including proteases such as trypsin-like proteases) in response to prey; enzyme kinetics and induction are recorded in laboratory studies.
- Phenolic compounds (flavonoid profiles) documented by anatomical and phytochemical analyses.
Note on traditional remedy and food uses: reported historical use of Pinguicula spp. in some regions as milk-curdling agents lacks sufficient, taxon-specific verification; therefore those applications are excluded.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Pinguicula borealis | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 90 (1796) |
| Pinguicula arctica | Eastw. | Bot. Gaz. 33: 293 (1902) |
| Pinguicula bohemica | Krajina | Vestn. Král. Ceské Spolecn. Nauk. Tr. Mat.-Prír. 15: 1 (1926 publ. 1927) |
| Pinguicula norica | Beck | Oesterr. Bot. Z. 62: 41 (1912) |
| Pinguicula oxyptera | Rchb. ex Benj. | Linnaea 20: 318 (1847) |
| Pinguicula ovata | Stokes | Bot. Mat. Med. 1: 37 (1812) |
| Pinguicula gypsophila | Wallr. | Linnaea 14: 533 (1841) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris subsp. bicolor | Á.Löve & D.Löve | |
| Pinguicula vulgaris subsp. anzalonei | Peruzzi & F.Conti | Ann. Bot. Fenn. 43: 334 (2006) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris subsp. vestina | F.Conti & Peruzzi | Ann. Bot. Fenn. 43: 335 (2006) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris subsp. ernica | Peruzzi & F.Conti | Ann. Bot. Fenn. 43: 335 (2006) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. pallida | Lange | Meddel. Grønland 3: 261 (1887) |
| Pinguicula bicolor | Wol. | Oesterr. Bot. Z. 37: 80 (1887) |
| Pinguicula dostalii | Bárta | Veda Prir. 23: 5 (1944) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris subsp. alpicola | (Rchb.) Rouy | Consp. Fl. France : 205 (1927) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris subsp. bohemica | (Krajina) Domin | Preslia 13-15: 191 (1935-1936 publ. 1936) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. obtusa | Sommerf. | Suppl. Fl. Lapp. : 2 (1826) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. tenuior | Wahlenb. | Fl. Lapp. : 10 (1812) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. obtusata | Nordst. | Bot. Not. 1863: 15 (1863) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. uliginosa | Genty ex Magnier | Mém. Soc. Émul. Doubs , sér. 6, 10: 253 (1895) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. albida | Behm | Bot. Not. 1881: 93 (1881) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. coerulea | Briq. | Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 3: 105 (1899) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. gaveana | Beauverd | Bull. Soc. Bot. Genève , sér. 2, 3: 324 (1911) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. alpestris | Marçais | Rev. Bot. 8: 565 (1890) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. minor | W.D.J.Koch | Taschenb. Deut. Schweiz. Fl. : 417 (1848) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. pratensis | W.D.J.Koch | Taschenb. Deut. Schweiz. Fl. : 417 (1848) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. gypsophila | (Wallr.) Rchb.f. | Icon. Fl. Germ. Helv. 20: 145 (1862) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. macrantha | Lamotte | Prodr. Fl. Plat. Centr. 2: 511 (1881) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. sixtina | Briq. | Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 3: 105 (1899) |
| Pinguicula bicolor f. gorcensis | Kornas | Monogr. Bot. 5: 144 (1957) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris f. coerulescens | Eklund | Acta Soc. Fauna Fl. Fenn. 55(9): 101 (1929) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris subvar. major | Coss. & Germ. | Fl. Descr. Anal. Paris , ed. 2: 374 (1861) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris f. semiflava | Neuman | Sver. Fl. : 119 (1901) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris f. micrantha | Lindblom | Bot. Not. 1845: 69 (1845) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris f. brevicalcarata | Lindblom | Bot. Not. 1845: 69 (1845) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris f. albida | (Behm) Neuman | Sver. Fl. : 119 (1901) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. alpicola | Rchb. | Iconogr. Bot. Pl. Crit. 1: 70 (1823) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. bicolor | Nordst. ex Fr. | Exsicc. (Herb. Norm.) 16: n.° 22 (1864) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris f. bicolor | (Nordst. ex Fr.) Neuman | Sver. Fl. : 118 (1901) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. bohemica | (Krajina) Casper | Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 66: 127 (1962) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris subvar. sixtina | (Briq.) Rouy | Fl. France 11: 202 (1909) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris var. obtusata | Hartm. | Handb. Skand. Fl. , ed. 2: 6 (1832) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris f. macrantha | Lindblom | Bot. Not. 1845: 69 (1845) |
| Pinguicula vulgaris prol. alpicola | (Rchb.) Rouy | Fl. France 11: 202 (1909) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | common butterwort |
| Arabic | حشيشة الدهن |
| Arabic | لسان الوز |
| Arabic | لسان وزة |
| Arabic | حشيشة النجارين |
| Arabic | عشبة الدهن |
| Arabic | حسيشة الدهن |
| Belarusian | Тлушчанка звычайная |
| Czech | tučnice obecná |
| Welsh | tafod y gors |
| Welsh | euryfedig |
| Danish | almindelig vibefedt |
| German | gemeines fettblatt |
| German | blaues fettkraut |
| German | gemeine fettkraut |
| German | gemeines fettkraut |
| German | kiwitzfettkraut |
| German | gewöhnliches fettkraut |
| Estonian | harilik võipätakas |
| Finnish | siniyökönlehti |
| French | grassette commune |
| Irish | bodán meascáin |
| Upper Sorbian | módra tučnička |
| Hungarian | lápi hízóka |
| Icelandic | lyfjagras |
| Italian | pinguicola |
| Japanese | 虫取りスミレ |
| Japanese | ムシトリスミレ |
| Japanese | 虫取菫 |
| Japanese | 虫取り菫 |
| Korean | 벌레잡이제비꽃 |
| Lithuanian | paprastoji tuklė |
| Latvian | parastā kreimule |
| Norwegian Bokmål | tettegras |
| Norwegian Bokmål | vanlig tettegras |
| Norwegian Bokmål | tettegress |
| Dutch | vetblad |
| Dutch | gewone vetblad |
| Dutch | gewoon vetblad |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | tettegras |
| Polish | tłustosz pospolity |
| Russian | жирянка обыкновенная |
| se | alitvuodjalasta |
| se | alit vuodjalasta |
| se | alitdohpi |
| Slovak | tučnica obyčajná |
| Slovenian | bavadna mastnica |
| Slovenian | navadna mastnica |
| sma | sååketjekraesie |
| smj | njavllerásse |
| smn | cissáátivgâ |
| Serbian | Обична масница |
| Swedish | tätört |
| Swedish | vanlig tätört |
| Tamil | பிங்குவிய்குலா வல்காரிஸ் |
| Ukrainian | Товстянка звичайна |
| Ukrainian | Товстянка двоколірна |
| Chinese | 野捕虫堇 |
| Chinese | 野捕蟲堇 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
| bog plant; stand pot in 3 cm water |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Mongolia
- Mongolia
-
Siberia
- Buryatiya
- Irkutsk
- Krasnoyarsk
- Tuva
- West Siberia
- Yakutskiya
-
Mongolia
-
Europe click to expand
-
Eastern Europe
- Baltic States
- Belarus
- East European Russia
- North European Russia
- Northwest European Russia
- Ukraine
-
Middle Europe
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Switzerland
-
Northern Europe
- Denmark
- Finland
- Føroyar
- Great Britain
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Norway
- Sweden
-
Southeastern Europe
- Italy
- Romania
- Yugoslavia
-
Southwestern Europe
- France
- Portugal
- Spain
-
Eastern Europe
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Eastern Canada
- Labrador
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Québec
-
North-central U.S.A.
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
-
Northeastern U.S.A.
- Maine
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Vermont
-
Subarctic America
- Alaska
- Greenland
- Northwest Territorie
- Nunavut
- Yukon
-
Western Canada
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
-
Eastern Canada
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000469090 |
| UNII | M94FLF340L |
| Canadensys | 6500 |
| USDA Plants | PIVU |
| Tropicos | 18300004 |
| INPN | 113639 |
| Flora of Italy | 8266 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:526527-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2537397 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 502891 |
| Observations.org | 2675 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 204362 |
| NBN Atlas | NBNSYS0000004184 |
| Nature Serve | 2.153631 |
| IUCN Red List | 175287 |
| IPNI | 526527-1 |
| iNaturalist | 121266 |
| GBIF | 5415065 |
| Freebase | /m/02z8tst |
| WisFlora | 4500 |
| EPPO | PNUVU |
| EOL | 577827 |
| Elurikkus | 6277 |
| USDA GRIN | 430903 |
| Wikipedia | Pinguicula_vulgaris |
| Tropicos | 18300002 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:526422-1 |
| The Plant List | tro-18300002 |
| Observations.org | 120649 |
| IPNI | 526422-1 |
| Elurikkus | 607477 |
| CMAUP | NPO17282 |
| Plantarium | 28374 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acyl glycosides / Fatty acyl glycosides of mono- and disaccharides | |||||
| 6S,9R-Roseoside | 9930064 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds | |||||
| -D-Glucopyranoside, (1aS,1bS,2S,5aR,6S,6aS)-1a,1b,2,5a,6,6a-hexahydro-6-hydroxy-1a-[[[(2E)-1-oxo-3-phenyl-2-propenyl]oxy]methyl]oxireno[4,5]cyclopenta[1,2-c]pyran-2-yl | 21603202 | Click to see | 492.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83027-7 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50038A035 |
| (2R)-2-[[(1R,2S,6S)-5-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-3,9-dioxatricyclo[4.4.0.02,4]dec-7-en-10-yl]oxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 138107792 | Click to see | 362.33 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83027-7 |
| [(1S,2S,4S,5S,6R,10S)-5-hydroxy-10-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,9-dioxatricyclo[4.4.0.0^{2,4]dec-7-en-2-yl]methyl (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate | 151789 | Click to see | 492.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83027-7 |
| [(1S,2S,4S,5S,6S,10S)-5-hydroxy-10-[(2S,3S,4R,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,9-dioxatricyclo[4.4.0.02,4]dec-7-en-2-yl]methyl (Z)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate | 162851800 | Click to see | 492.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50038A035 |
| [(1S,2S,4S,5S,6S,10S)-5-hydroxy-10-[(2S,3S,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-3,9-dioxatricyclo[4.4.0.02,4]dec-7-en-2-yl]methyl (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate | 154496669 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C=CC(=O)OCC23C4C(C=COC4OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C(C2O3)O | 492.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50038A035 |
| Catalpinoside | 3917786 | Click to see | 362.33 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83027-7 |
| Catalpol | 91520 | Click to see | 362.33 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83027-7 |
| Globularin | 21603201 | Click to see | 492.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50038A035 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)83027-7 |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-(3-hydroxy-5-methoxy-4-methylphenoxy)-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 11723266 | Click to see CC1=C(C=C(C=C1OC)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O)O | 316.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [2,6-dihydroxy-3-methyl-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]-4-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyphenyl]-phenylmethanone | 10393178 | Click to see | 568.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Azepines | |||||
| 4-hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-1H-azepine-2,5-dione | 54749584 | Click to see CC(C)(CC1=CC(=O)C(=CC(=O)N1)O)O | 211.21 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pestalactam A | 54749583 | Click to see | 245.66 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Pestalactam C | 54749585 | Click to see | 227.64 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acid esters / Coumaric acid esters | |||||
| Scutellarioside II | 6443034 | Click to see | 508.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50038A035 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones | |||||
| (S)-2,3-dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-2-phenyl-4-benzopyrone | 6453244 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Strobopinin | 442520 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C=C1O)OC(CC2=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O | 270.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| (2S,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[6-(5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxochromen-2-yl)-2,3-dihydroxyphenoxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid | 11798847 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isoscutellarein | 5281665 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(73)80718-6 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myricetin | 5281672 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 318.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glucuronides / Flavonoid-3-O-glucuronides | |||||
| Myricetin 3-O-glucuronide | 5487413 | Click to see | 494.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| ((2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-(5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)chromen-3-yl)oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-3-yl) 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 5316590 | Click to see | 616.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 10961589 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=C(C(=C(C(=C3C2=O)O)O)O)O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Afzelin | 5316673 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| myricetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 5318606 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 480.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myricitrin | 5281673 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercitrin | 5280459 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| quercetin-7-O-(6''-gallate)-glucoside | 100968215 | Click to see | 616.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |