The quintessential plant is calm and harmless, but we can hardly say the same for the Venus flytrap!This carnivorous plant is unique in many ways and depends on its ability to trap and ingest insects for being alive! A Venus flytrap is, however, hard to find since it is Vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List!Native to North and South Carolina, this predominantly North American plant is now found all over the world. The popularity of the Venus flytrap is such that it is also kept in homes!This plant requires a very particular set of conditions to survive, in addition to a plentiful supply of insects to munch on. The Venus flytrap is a sunlight-loving plant and is sometimes denied light due to human intervention. Since humans often put out forest fires to avoid the destruction of civilizations, the forest understory remains intact and even grows out of control. It is due to the unchecked growth of the understory that no sunlight is able to penetrate to these plants, causing their rapid death - since plants cannot perform photosynthesis without sunlight. Poaching is also one of the ways in which the Venus flytrap is being threatened. Keep reading to know more facts!Venus Flytrap ClassificationThe Venus Flytrap is a rather interesting plant, mainly because of its eating habits. This plant has a particular knack for eating bugs and insects. The Venus flytrap is native to North America and is known for such rapid movement which is quite unusual in plants. It is the same speed of movement that allows the Venus flytrap plant to be able to capture bugs such as beetles and ants.The scientific name of the Venus flytrap is Dionaea muscipula.The name of the genus is Dionaea and the plant belongs to the family Droseraceae.The Venus flytrap is classified as a carnivorous plant due to the simple fact that it gains much of the needed nutrition from eating bugs and small frogs.In spite of trying very hard and carrying out extensive research, Darwin was unable to find the ancestors of the Venus flytrap.It was only recently that the relative of this plant was identified.Sundew, which is a primitive carnivorous plant, is believed to be the distant relative of the Venus flytrap plant.It is classified with the perennial plants of the world since this plant can survive in all weather conditions if there is adequate water, sunlight, and a supply of insects to eat!This plant was classified with insectivorous plants by Darwin, although the Venus flytrap can also eat small amphibians.The IUCN Red List classifies these plants as Vulnerable, which means that the species is threatened by several factors and will face extinction if proper measures are not taken towards its conservation.While this may sound like we are stating the obvious, the Venus flytrap belongs to the plant kingdom.These plants also develop flowers. The Venus flytrap flowers are white in color and have green veins.Physical Features Of Venus FlytrapsVenus flytraps have been the center of everyone’s attention ever since their ability to capture insects and tiny animals has come to light. It is understandable that humans would be intrigued by this plant’s abilities since the way in which the plant attracts insects and then ingests them is one-of-a-kind. This fascination that we have with Venus flytraps is one of the many reasons why this plant is now found all over the world and not just in its native habitat. Extensive research with the plant has also revealed more about how and why the trap closes and reopens for feeding.These plants grow to 5-6 in (12.7-15.24 cm) in diameter, with traps commonly measuring up to 1.5 in (3.81 cm).The internal mechanisms of the Venus flytrap are truly intriguing. For capturing prey, the plant closes its trap around it and then goes on to ingest the insect or animal slowly.There are tiny hairs inside the mouth of the Venus flytrap which enable the plant to understand whether or not the object within is moving.These hairs are called trichomes and they sense the movements of the objects within the traps.If the insect or animal makes two movements in a span of 20 seconds, the trap would snap shut, thereby capturing the prey.The trap also has bars towards its end, which makes sure that the insects cannot escape the deathly mouth of the plant.Once the plant traps its prey, digestive juices are secreted which enable the breakdown of the body of the insects.The trap reopens in a couple of days, either for further eating or for throwing out the part of the insect that could not be digested.Each trap of the plant has a definite lifetime. These traps can open and close around six times before they die and are shed off by the plant.The plant then grows out a new trap in its place to trap and digest insects.The plant’s trap is made of two hinged lobes at the end of each leaf.Smaller insects are digested in around a week, however, larger insects take longer to digest.One of the important facts about this plant is that it cannot digest exoskeletons, which is part of the reason why a Venus flytrap needs to throw out the undigested part.In order to eat bugs, the Venus flytrap has a special mechanism.The traps attract insects by the secretion of sweet-smelling nectar. Large and small insects come to the plant in the false lure of nectar.When flying insects reach the mouth of the plant, the trap closes around them.Venus flytrap is a plant that is native to North and South Carolina.It is now found in the entire world, however, the species thrives in bog-like conditions without too many nutrients in the soil.This is because a Venus flytrap prefers to digest insects and small wild animals to get its fill of essential nutrients.Acidic soil is required for the growth of this plant species.The coastal areas or coastal plain of North and South Carolina provides the best conditions for the growth of these plants.The plant grows well in the presence of well-watered soil as well as abundant sunlight, however, they often are denied access to sunlight in the wild.The plant lacks a brain, however, scientists have found that the Venus flytrap has a functional short-term memory system.Life Cycle Of Venus FlytrapsVenus flytraps are perennial plants and can survive for many years if given the right nutrients and prey.The Venus flytrap is a perennial plant species.It depends on its prey for nutrients.Venus flytraps can live for 20 years or more if they have the access to proper conditions in the wild.Humans have also started growing Venus flytraps in their homes, however, the efficiency with which the plant can be maintained in domestic settings is not known.Squirrels, rodents like raccoons, and bluejays pose a threat to Venus flytraps.What insects do Venus flytraps eat?The Venus flytrap is famous for its ability to trap insects within its mouth.When an insect sits inside the mouth, the convex shape changes to concave and quickly snaps shut around the prey.The plants then digest the insect over the span of a few days.Venus flytraps mostly enjoy eating beetles, ants, and flies.However, they also munch on the occasional small frogs when in the wild.If you have been planning on having a Venus flytrap at home, it is also important to understand that this plant cannot be fed human food.For example, the hamburger that you so enjoy can be poisonous for a Venus flytrap and can kill it.Venus flytraps cannot digest the exoskeleton of animals and insects.This plant can also eat spiders and grasshoppers!
The quintessential plant is calm and harmless, but we can hardly say the same for the Venus flytrap!
