Some Interesting Facts About Carnivorous Plants

Truth about being cruel to other living being is the demand for surviving in this ecosystem. We are encompassed by varieties of animals and insects and plants according to their species. They all have their own unique characteristics and differs in the approach for food.

There are generally three types of animals in the nature, we all know them very well. They are Herbivores, Carnivores and Omnivores. We also know that green plants are the prey here for any animal belonging to any of the above categories.

There are also some plants which are as wild as these animals. They do catch their prey, executors of the trap planning. Such plants which 'hunt' to live are called as Carnivorous Plants.

How do they hunt? And what are their prey? Let's dive into the details...

Carnivorous plants are the sole survivors. They survive in the very unnatural and bad climatic conditions, where no other plants can withstand. These carnivorous plants can live without consuming any prey, it is not mandatory for them.

Sundews or Drosera got their name from glistening, sticky, hairlike trichomes, which secrete enzymes that digests insects. The benefit of consuming the prey is to get the nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which is lack in the soil.

Nearly 600 carnivorous species on the planet today thrive in places where other plants struggle.

All the carnivorous plants are not associated with traps, Geranium Viscosissimum is considered protocarnivorous, its enzymes can digest protein, but it lacks a trap.

Traps vary according to the species, from a pitcher plant's cup-shaped trap to the snapping taco shell of a Venus' flytrap.

Venus' flytrap is the most famous plant carnivore, Utricularia or bladderworts are the most widespread on every continent except Antarctica.

In the aquatic bladderworts, the action is very quick. The trapdoors opens so quickly that the change in pressure sucks the prey inside. It only takes few milliseconds to open and close the bladderworts.

Carnivorous Genlisea use 'lobster pot' traps, narrow tubes lined with inward curving hairs, once prey wanders in, it can't be out. It can only continue to its doom in the digestion chamber. Generally these Carnivores feed on arthropods, these are their best choice.

Roridula is a carnivore, it depends on an insect called Pameridea. This insect will help the plant to get the nutrients, it doesn't need to consume the Pameridea, the insect itself releases the required nutrients.

Some other aquatic carnivorous plants depend on water-living invertebrates and protozoans.

One point is very interesting here, that is these Carnivores never uses their assets of beauty (flowers) to trap the prey. Only the leaves and other parts will participate in this hunting.