Introduction to Carnivorous Plants

• 600+ plant species worldwide supplement regular diet (sunlight, water, soil) with insects, microbes, frogs, rats
• Evolved separately at least 6 times on planet
• Flesh-munching adaptation provides major survival benefit
• Grow in highly acidic soil poor in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium
• Lure, trap, digest prey for nutrient advantage over soil-dependent plants

Pitcher Plant Predation

• Inhabits inhospitable bog environments
• Lures prey with vivid colors and alluring scent
• Nectar contains coniine - powerful narcotic to insects
• Fly becomes sluggish, stumbles, falls down funnel into liquid pool
• Drowns in base liquid
• Enzymes and bacteria break body into microscopic particles
• Plant consumes particles through leaves
• Occasionally captures larger prey

Sundew Plant Mechanism

• Tiny leaves equipped with viscous secretion called mucilage
• Ant trapped in sticky goo
• Enzymes begin digestion during struggle
• Special tentacles sense movement, curl around prey
• Suffocating grip maintains hold
• Digestion complete in under 1 hour
• Tentacles unfurl to snare next victim

Corkscrew Plant Underground Traps

• Operates underground in root system
• Prey enters through tiny slip seeking food
• Loses way in tangled labyrinth
• Forest of curved hairs prevents escape
• Guides prey to central chamber
• Chamber contains flesh-digesting enzymes
• Deadly low oxygen levels complete kill

Bladderwort Speed Trapping

• Speediest carnivorous plant
• Operates in pond environments
• Tadpole triggers mechanism by treading on trigger
• Trap door opens in milliseconds
• Suction pulls prey inside
• Victim trapped half in/half out
• Struggling triggers repeated trap activation
• Digested alive bit by bit over hours

Venus Flytrap Jaw Mechanism

• World's most infamous carnivorous plant
• Sweet-smelling nectar attracts beetles
• Landing triggers tiny surface hairs
• Jaws snap shut around prey
• Interlocking spikes seal fate
• Leaves function as external stomach
• Digests soft tissues over days
• Opens to reveal dry exoskeleton husk

Butterwort Pollinator Protection

• Mayfly approaches plant
• Flowers positioned high above adhesive goo traps
• Long flower stalks separate pollinators from carnivorous traps
• Mayfly drinks nectar from petals safely
• Takes off unscathed
• Survives to live long, fruitful life
• Demonstrates plant's strategy to distinguish food from pollinators