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Venus flytrap

Scientific Name: Dionaea

Family: Droseraceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)

The Venus flytrap is a fascinating carnivorous plant that has captured the imagination of people for generations. Its unique ability to trap and digest insects makes it a popular choice for plant enthusiasts, but it's important to understand its needs and characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

  • The Venus flytrap features modified leaves with "teeth" that can snap shut.
  • The plant exudes sweet-smelling sap to attract insects.

Considerations for Children

  • The Venus flytrap features modified leaves with "teeth" that can snap shut.
  • Alan Titchmarsh mentioned carnivorous plants make captivating “pets” and children just love a real-life Venus Flytrap.

Scientific Classification

  • Scientific Name: Dionaea muscipula
  • Family: Droseraceae (Sundew family)
  • Kingdom: (Not specified in text, but implied as plant)
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Synonyms: Venus' Fly Frap, Venus's Fly Trap

Common Names

  • Venus Flytrap

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the subtropical wetlands of the East Coast of the United States, specifically North Carolina and South Carolina.
  • Found in bogs and swampland.

Ecological Role

  • Carnivorous plant that depends on insects for nutrients in nutrient-poor soil.

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Leaves are modified into traps to capture insects.
  • The traps are made of two hinged lobes.
  • Possesses trigger hairs on the inside surface of the lobes.
  • Flowers are white.
  • Perennial plant.

Quirky Facts

  • The Venus flytrap "counts" to five when an insect wanders onto its trap before it really "chows down." It counts the number of times that its victims touch the sensory hairs on its leaves.
  • It takes two taps to trigger a Venus flytrap to close. Another three taps are needed to turn on genes for producing enzymes.
  • The "Venus" part of its name comes from the fact that its flowers are pretty (like the goddess Venus) and white, like the planet Venus in the sky.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Preys on insects such as wasps, spiders, beetles, grasshoppers, flying insects, and even small slugs.

Further Information

  • Botanical Society of America&#39s Mysterious Venus Flytrap page
  • FlytrapStore.com
  • FlytrapCare.com
  • The Nature Conservancy (nature.org/northcarolina)
  • Wikimedia Commons