Utricularia mannii is a small, perennial, epiphytic carnivorous plant that belongs to the genus Utricularia. It is the sole species in Utricularia sect. Chelidon.
Distribution and Habitat
U. mannii is endemic to tropical Africa, specifically the islands in the Gulf of Guinea—Bioko, São Tomé, and Príncipe—as well as the adjacent mainland regions of Cameroon and Nigeria. It typically grows as an epiphyte on moss-covered tree trunks within rainforest environments, thriving at altitudes ranging from 500 to 2,100 meters (1,640 to 6,890 feet).
Phenology
The plant has been observed flowering between April and November.
Taxonomy
Utricularia mannii was first described and published by British botanist Daniel Oliver in 1865. In 1986, Peter Taylor placed the species in its own taxonomic section, Chelidon, recognizing its distinct characteristics within the genus.