Chasing the Elusive Pinguicula villosa in the Arctic

July 28, 2025

Picture this: It’s a rainy summer morning in Tromsø, Norway, and I’m buzzing with excitement (and a strong cup of coffee). Armed with precious GPS coordinates from carnivorous plant aficionado Marc Boomgaren, I’m off on a mission to track down Pinguicula villosa – one of the smallest and most elusive butterworts on the planet. This pint-sized carnivore, also known as the hairy butterwort, is a true Arctic gem, thriving in cold, boggy habitats across the northern reaches of Europe, Asia, and North America.

Why the obsession? It’s not too often I’m only a couple hours away from such a rare and unusual species. And P. villosa? It’s the diminutive diva of the genus – rosettes smaller than a coin, with delicate purple flowers that are easy to miss if you’re not looking closely.

The adventure kicked off early – a just-over-two-hour drive south on the scenic Highway E8, winding through dramatic fjords and misty mountains toward the Finnish border. Rain? Check. Determination? Double check.

I parked near a serene lake and dove into the search. For over an hour, I was on my hands and knees in the damp moss, scanning every inch of the sphagnum bog – their favorite hangout. Oh, and did I mention battling hundreds of relentless mosquitoes the entire time? Those bloodthirsty swarms were out in full force, turning my plant hunt into a true test of endurance (thank goodness for long sleeves and sheer stubbornness!).

Discouragement crept in. No sign of the elusive P. villosa. Zilch.

I plopped down in what felt like the perfect spot – wet, boggy, Arctic perfection – and fired off a desperate message to Marc for more tips.

And then… out of the corner of my eye… THERE IT WAS!

A tiny rosette, no bigger than a quarter inch across. My heart exploded! It was about 100 meters off the GPS mark, but once I spotted one, dozens more appeared like hidden treasures. No open flowers this time (they bloom earlier in the season with delicate violet petals), but the leaves alone were a thrill – fuzzy, sticky, and perfectly adapted to snag unsuspecting insects. The flower stalks with their distinctive hairs were still there, making for a positive ID on the species.

I spent a couple of blissful hours admiring them (mosquitoes notwithstanding), snapping photos, taking in the sight of Pinguicula vulgaris and Drosera rotundifolia growing nearby, and enjoying a well-deserved picnic amidst the wild beauty.

Feeling victorious, I crossed into Finland for a quick detour to Kilpisjärvi – a stunning Arctic village with jaw-dropping views of lakes and fells. A hot coffee and fresh pastry were the perfect reward before heading back to Tromsø for dinner with family and friends.

What a day! Moments like these remind me why I love carnivorous plants – the thrill of the hunt, the wonder of nature’s weird and wonderful adaptations (and yes, even surviving the mosquito apocalypse).

Have you ever gone on a plant-hunting adventure? Share your stories in the comments – I’d love to hear!

Happy growing,
Jeremiah Harris
JeremiahsPlants.com