CARNIVOROUS PLANTS

                       CARNIVOROUS  PLANTS

There are many plants which are meat-eaters! These plants have certain clever devices to trap their victims, most of which are unsuspecting insects.

Let us take a look at some of these plants:--

THE PITCHER PLANT

 

As the name suggests, this plant has a number of ‘pitchers’ or jugs to catch unsuspecting flies.

Flies which sit on the pitcher plant, lose their grip due to the slippery rim of the plant and tumble inside. They get dissolved in the rain water which is collected inside, and make a wholesome meal for the plant.      

SUNDEW

The hairy leaves of the sticky ‘Sundew’ produce a sticky glue which entangles flies and other insects.

BUTTERWORT

The ‘Butterwort’ has shining golden leaves which attract insects. The poor insect gets stuck in the glue found in the leaves and as soon as it lands on the smooth surface, the leaves begin curling inwards, devouring the helpless insects.

THE VENUS FLYTRAP

When an insect lands on the pad of the leaf, the hinges get activated.

Within a few seconds, the sides of the leaf pad begin to close in on the insect.

The centre of the leaf forms a hinge.

The trapped insect is firmly ‘locked’ by the ‘teeth’ of the leaf and is soon digested by the plant.