The flora of Earth can be pretty, poisonous, tasty, and even carnivorous. Carnivorous plants have been around since ancient times, evidenced by the recent discovery of fossilized remains that are
at least 35 million years old. Most predatory plants devour insects, but some have even been known to feast on larger prey. Here is From Quarks to Quasars’ list of 7 interesting plants which keep creatures on the menu.
1. Nepenthes Rajah
A unique resource mutualism between the giant Bornean pitcher plant, Nepenthes rajah, and members of a small mammal community. Photograph taken by Ch'ien Lee.
Nepenthes rajah has been cited by
National Geographic as the largest carnivorous plant ever observed. This carnivorous plant loves to grow in constantly moist and loose dirt -- and makes its home in Borneo. Its pitcher-like trap holds a large amount of water, along with its digestive fluid.
Nepenthes rajah’s massive pitcher-trap has been observed to even drown small mammals, like rats. After the poor critter drowns in the trap, the carnivore gets to work digesting its prey. It also has a mutually beneficial relationship with one species of treeshrews, which feed on the nectar and provide the plant with droppings to eat.
2. Catopsis berteroniana
This carnivorous plant may just look like a succulent, but it has a not so obvious trap. Catopsis berteroniana is hungry for nitrogen and phosphorous, and insects make a great source. Catopsis berteroniana has a trap called a "tank." This tank is lined with a sticky white powder that tricks insects into flying in by reflecting light. A pretty clever way to get some nitrogen and phosphorous.
3. Aldrovanda vesiculosa
Aldrovanda vesiculosa habitus. Author: Jan Wieneke
Aldrovanda vesiculosa, also known as the Waterwheel plant, is an aquatic carnivorous plant. Each of it’s folding traps might remind you of the famous venus flytrap, and that’s not far off at all -- Aldrovanda vesiculosa just uses smaller version of snap traps than its relative. Each of its tiny snap traps stand ready to close around small insects to stay fed.
4. Stylidium
Image credit: Holger Hennern
The
Stylidium is a wiry beauty on our list of carnivores. Known commonly as a trigger plant, the
Stylidium turbinatum has trichomes (sticky hairs) that capture the smallest insects. For a time it was thought the
Stylidium used these trichomes purely defensively, but the
Stylidium fimbriatum was discovered to also have
digestive enzymes to process the trapped bugs.
5. Dionaea muscipula
Venus fly trap CC BY-SA 2.5
Dionaea muscipula, known commonly as the Venus flytrap, is the most famous of all carnivorous plants. The Venus flytrap can be found in American households, the Amazon, and even wetlands in North and South Carolina. Its trap works by closing around unsuspecting insects and arachnids when they make the mistake of touching a trigger hair. Once the prey is captured, the trap seals itself to form a kind of stomach which fills with digestive enzymes. Interestingly, the Venus flytrap is marketed as an herbal remedy which claims to treat HIV and Crohn’s disease.
6. Drosera debyensis
Image credit: NoahElhardt
Drosera derbyensis is part of the largest group of carnivorous plants -- known as sundews. This plant is also home to Western Australia, and looks strangely akin to a sea anemone. The
Drosera’s leaves are covered with hairs that capture insects that get too close. If you are interested in cultivating a
Drosera -- they have been found to
grow well in warm water.
7. Utricularia volubili
Image via WikiMedia
Utricularia volubili is another carnivorous plant that dwells in Western Australia. But what could this small beautiful flower possibly be eating? Well its prey is tinier than our eyes can see, this plant feeds on water-dwelling microbes. The Ultricularia appears a flower, but its source of nutrition isn’t conventional.
Provided by FQTQ Contributor Dieter Holger
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