Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Butterwort

Pinguicula vulgaris

Typically in season from May to August in the northern hemisphere. Found in Wetland. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris)

Photo: (c) AJC1, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · iNaturalist

When Butterwort is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak May to August. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Butterwort is usually found in Wetland.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Similar species: large-flowered butterwort, alpine butterwort, marsh violet. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Butterwort into the field

Open Butterwort in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Butterwort: common questions

When is Butterwort in season?

Butterwort is generally in season from May to August in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Butterwort grow?

Butterwort is usually found in Wetland.

Is Butterwort safe to forage?

Similar species: large-flowered butterwort, alpine butterwort, marsh violet. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits