My Next Guest Needs No Introduction
- Molly
- Mar 12, 2018
- 2 min read
The carnivores of the plant world!
No common name needed here, you know this guy. The Venus Flytrap. It's everyones go-to carnivorous plant, and for good reason. It's awesome!! These plants do what we never think of plants doing, they "eat."
How do they do this? Well, each of the tiny "teeth" on the outside of the leaf acts as a tiny sensor. If an insect hits the sensors two times within several seconds, the leaf snaps shut. Then, the leaf seal itself, creating a tiny stomach of sorts to digest the insect. They then secrete enzymes that break down all the nutrients that the insect has.
These incredible plants evolved to help deal with soil that lacked many of the nutrients that plants need to survive (like nitrogen)!
The Cobra Lily (or California Pitcher plant) gets its name from the distorted curve each leaf has. Like other pitcher plants, this carnivore has a small hole under its bulbous top where insects enter. Once inside, their prey is forced downwards by hairs that line the inside of the "throat." Unlike other pitcher plants, the Cobra Lily maintains water in its base through absorption in it's roots. This plant actually digests by secreting enzymes and through a partnership with bacteria (just like us)!
The Cape Sundew. A sweet name for a deadly plant. This carnivore looks inviting, with beautiful dewy drops covering each leaf. But, each of these "dew drops" is actually sticky mucus that traps insect bodies onto them. Once these drops are activated, the plant begins to roll inwards, constricting the bug like a python. The tighter it wraps, the more the insect's body is broken down and digested.
Let us know what you think or if you have any other cool carnivorous plants in the comments!
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