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4 Common Carnivorous Plants

By Heather Brown

Is there anything more titillating than plants that can trap, kill, and digest animals? These carnivorous plants are like things from science-fiction novels but the fact of the matter is they exist in real life. For those who are particularly interested in such plants, check out some of the most famous carnivorous plants that exist.

Drosera

Drosera

There is a species if plant belonging to the Drosera genus called “sundews” and they happen to be one of the most common carnivorous plants in the world as well. These sundews look like flowers with tentacles all over them. These tentacles have a sticky substance that glitter in the sunlight which attracts insects. Once they land on the sticky dew-covered tentacles, they become trapped. The tentacles close around the insect and digestive enzymes get to work, digesting them and extracting nutrients.

Dionaea muscipula

Dionaea muscipula also known as the Venus flytrap has to be one of the most common carnivorous plants in the world. It preys on insects by luring them into its leaves using sweet nectar. A soon as the insect steps into its “mouth,” it triggers tiny hairs which stimulates impulses in the plant and makes it close it leaves. Glands found in the leaves release a digestive enzyme that breaks down the insect and the leaves absorb the nutrients. These days, it is not uncommon to find Venus Flytraps for sale for people who want them as “pets”.

Nepenthes

Nepenthes

Plants known as tropical pitchers or Money Cups belong to the plant genus Nepenthes. These plants have brightly colored leaves that look a lot like pitchers. The plant makes use of its bright color and its nectar to lure in insects but the inside walls of the leaves are very slippery because of waxy scales. The insects that go in and land on the leaves then slip and slide to the bottom of the pitcher where digestive enzymes are waiting. One plant that is similar to this is the Sarracenia also known as the North American Pitcher Plant. The plant also has digestive enzymes at the bottom of the pitcher-like leaves although in some species, it is water that drowns the insects and digestive enzymes in the water is what breaks them down.

Utricularia

There are some species of Utricularia known as Bladderworts and these plants are also carnivorous. The plant gets its name from tiny bladder-like sacs that are found in its leaves and stems. These plants come with mechanisms that work like trap doors with a vacuum effect on insects when they trigger tiny hairs which could be found in the vicinity of the “door”. The digestive enzymes in the sacs break down the insects that are trapped.

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