Digestive processes occur in contact with glandular hairs or in the bladders.
Distinction between stem and leaf is blurred in Utricularia where morphology of bladders had been variously interpreted. 2-lipped, the lower lip being spurred. 2 epipetalous stamens and a superior G with free-central placentation. Inflorescence bracteate raceme or spike of zygomorphic flowers. Seeds lack endosperm and embryo is scarcely differentiated.