How a Venus Flytrap Works

Unique Among Carnivorous Plants

The venus flytrap is one of a small group of plants that are actually carnivorous, trapping animals to supplement the meager nutrients within the environment where they grow. The flytrap is even unique within this group, however. While most carnivorous plants have traps that catch insects passively, the venus flytrap is among a handful of plants that has an active trapping system, which quickly closes on its prey.

Specialized Leaves

The venus flytrap has very specialized leaves. The tips of the leaves have two flat, oblong leaf pads joined together along their edges and attached to the leaf stem. The pads fan outward like two clamshell halves. Along the outside edge of each pad are a series of long fang-like barbs, giving the leaf an appearance of something akin to a tiny bear trap.

Trigger Hairs

On the inside surface of each pad are three tiny hairs that act as triggers. When an insect touches the hairs, the trap is sprung. The hairs must be touched more than once, however. This prevents the trap from accidentally closing on a drop of water or a stray bit of debris that may fall on the leaf. When the hair cells are correctly triggered, it stimulates cells on the outside of the leaf to expand, forcing the pads together and closing the trap around its prey.

Digestive Juices

Once the prey is trapped, the plant will begin to secrete an acidic liquid from the leaf pads that will dissolve the insect over several days. This makes the nutrients within it available to the plant. The process will continue until the insect is completely consumed.

Resetting the Trap

Once the meal is finished, the cells on the inside of the leaf pads will grow rapidly, forcing the pads to fan out once again. This growth not only resets the trap, but also increases the size of the pads, making the trap bigger and more capable of capturing even larger prey.