Overview
The Venus fly trap, perhaps the most famous carnivorous plant, grows in boggy areas where the soil lacks nutrients. The plant has adapted to trap insects as a food source.
Trap Type
Unlike other carnivorous plants, such as the pitcher plant, that have passive traps, the Venus fly trap possesses what is referred to as an active trap system.
Trap Description
The end of each of the fly trap's leaves look like two oval lobes joined in the middle, trimmed with eyelash-like points. When the leaf closes, the points form a tiny cage that traps the insect alive.
Trigger Mechanism
On the surface of each lobe are three trigger hairs. When an insect lands on the leaf and touches the hairs, the lobes fold closed around the insect, trapping it.
Springing theTrap
To spring the trap, the trigger hairs must be touched several times. That way the plant knows that what is in the trap is actually alive.
Consumption of Prey
Digestive enzymes are released by the leaf to break down the body of the insect to provide nourishment to the plant.
- The Carnivorous Plant FAQ - The International Carnivorous Plant Society
- Wayne's Word on Carnivorous Plants
Keywords:
carnivorous plant, fly trap home, plant eat insect
About this Author
In Jacksonville, Fla., Frank Whittemore is a content strategist with over a decade of experience as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy and a licensed paramedic. He has over 15 years experience writing for several Fortune 500 companies. Whittemore writes on topics in medicine, nature, science, technology, the arts, cuisine, travel and sports.
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