prairie wildflower
Yellow Butterwort
Pinguicula lutea
1 of 2Native to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Coastal plain from southeastern Louisiana to Florida and southeastern North Carolina
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Feb–Apr Flowering time
- Height up to 20 in to 51 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for full sun and evenly moist soil. Its yellow flowers peak in March. At up to 20 in, it suits meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Yellow Butterwort's yellow flowers bloom February to April, peaking in March. This early-spring display draws butterflies.
Yellow Butterwort blooms yellowFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Black Dash
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South CarolinaUnited States (7): AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coastal plain from southeastern Louisiana to Florida and southeastern North CarolinaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Moist, acid, poor nutritive soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 20 in (to 51 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Feb–AprWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- YellowThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.