Transcript Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous Plants
Not Quite as Bad as Audrey II from
“The Little Shop of Horrors”
Carnivorous Plants
• Approximately 400 species of angiosperms
are known to be “carnivorous” or “meateaters”
• A more appropriate name would be
insectivorous since insects are normal prey.
• Most exist in nutrient-poor soils such as
fresh water bogs
• Insects may provide the missing nutrients
Adaptations
• Carnivorous plants have evolved elaborate
traps to lure prey
• Traps are all modified leaves with various
incentives to attract insects such as
elaborate colors or nectar
• Once insects are trapped digestive enzymes
are released
• Only the empty insect shell will be left
Pitcher
Plant
Pitcher Plant
• Leaf has evolved into
a vase (or pitcher)
shape
• At the bottom of the
“vase” rainwater will
collect along with
digestive enzymes
• Insects lured into the
vase and sharp hairs
prevent their exit
VenusFlytrap
Venus Flytrap
• Each leaf is a twosided trap with trigger
hairs on each side
• If trigger hairs are
touched, trap snaps
shut
• Insects are trapped and
digested in place
Sundew
Sundew
• Glandular hairs on the
leaf surface produce
an adhesive like
“superglue”
• Insects get “stuck” and
are digested away