Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is an extraordinary carnivorous plant that grows in marshy areas primarily in the eastern part of North America, in North and South Carolina. At first glance, it may seem like a completely ordinary flower growing on a long stem. However, it’s not that simple – this flower catches and digests various insects.
Description
Visually, this plant is not very noticeable, with 4 to 7 leaves at its disposal, which it uses to catch insects. On average, the size of one such leaf can reach 7 centimeters.
The flowering of the Venus flytrap is somewhat similar to that of a common elderberry. The flowers are also white and delicate, with numerous petals and yellow stamens. Moreover, the flower itself is located at a considerable distance from the trapping leaves, as if nature itself protects pollinating insects from getting caught in the traps.
Species
At present, breeders have developed many varieties of Venus flytraps, but the following are more common:
- Dentate Trap
- Giant
- Akai Ryu
- Red Piranha
- Bohemian Garnet
- Fannel Trap
- Crocodile
- Triton
- Dracula
Why did the Venus flytrap become a predator?
Since this “predator” grows in marshy areas, the soil is deficient in nutrients, especially nitrogen, which is crucial for the normal functioning of the plant. Therefore, evolution took a strange path here and endowed the Venus flytrap with a superpower – the ability to obtain nutrients from various insects rather than from the soil.
Hunting Process
The cunning trap leaves, designed to catch insects, consist of two parts. At the very edge of each are strong hairs. Others, much smaller and thinner, densely cover the entire main surface of the leaf, acting as precise sensors that detect any touches.
When the super-trap is triggered, the leaf halves snap shut very quickly, forming a closed cavity inside. This process is initiated according to a strict algorithm. Based on extensive observations of the Venus flytrap, it was found that the leaves only close after being touched by 2 different hairs. This mechanism prevents false triggers, such as from raindrops falling on it.
When an insect lands on the leaf, it starts moving various hairs, and the leaf immediately closes. This happens at lightning speed, so even the quickest and most agile insects cannot escape.
The Venus flytrap also has a second level of authentication. After an insect is caught in the trap, an additional check is initiated – if there is no movement inside, indicating no stimulation of the sensory hairs, the production of digestive enzymes is not activated. After a few minutes, the plant opens up again. Otherwise, the Venus flytrap begins secreting “digestive juice.”
It takes the plant a whole 10 days to digest the trapped insect. After the leaves reopen, only an empty chitinous shell remains inside. This material, covering most insects, the plant simply cannot digest.
What Insects Does the Plant Feed On?
The plant’s diet can be quite diverse. The “predator” feeds on: flies, various beetles, crickets, spiders, bugs, and even snails – in short, anything that lands on the leaf. The only exceptions are particularly strong and large individuals.
Interesting Fact! Scientists have identified a certain percentage distribution in the plant’s diet. For example, the plant feeds on flying insects for 5%, on beetles and crickets for 10%, and on arachnids for 30%. But most often, it feasts on ants – about 35% of the total consumed prey.
How to Care for a Venus Flytrap at Home?
To keep the plant green and healthy, it requires specific care. However, caring for a Venus flytrap is quite challenging, but easier than many other exotic plants. The most important thing is to create optimal conditions for its growth and further development.
If you decide to grow a Venus flytrap on your windowsill, it’s recommended to choose a west or east-facing side of the house. The plant requires daily exposure to sunlight for at least 5 hours. It doesn’t matter whether it’s during the day or evening. If there is insufficient natural light, you’ll need to provide additional artificial lighting.
The “predator” is often grown in special terrariums where you can achieve the necessary humidity level. Additionally, the plant will require artificial lighting. For this purpose, it’s recommended to use lamps with a power of 40 Watts or more, placed at a height of 20 cm above the plant. They should operate continuously.
The plant cannot tolerate stale air, so the room needs to be ventilated regularly, but without excessive drafts. It’s also important to avoid direct sunlight on the leaves. During the summer, you can place it on a terrace or balcony. Rotating or moving the plant, as done with other types of plants, should be avoided as it doesn’t like it.
The most comfortable conditions for it are during the summer with an air temperature of 20-35 degrees Celsius. At other times, the room temperature should not drop below 5 degrees Celsius.
Watering
Since the plant’s root system cannot process mineral salts from the soil, it’s best to use rainwater for watering. For collecting rainwater, avoid using metal containers and opt for plastic buckets instead. If, for any reason, you cannot collect rainwater, distilled water is recommended.
Ensure that the soil around the plant remains consistently moist. Insufficient humidity is detrimental to it. You can place the pot containing the plant on a tray with water so that the Venus flytrap can regulate its water consumption independently.
There’s no need to fertilize or feed the Venus flytrap – after all, as we remember, it feeds on insects.
Interesting facts:
- In the collection of America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson, this flower held a particularly honorable place. He entrusted its feeding to no one and always did it himself.
- The study of Dionaea was personally undertaken by Charles Darwin, who dedicated an entire book to it, vividly describing in detail how to feed the plant.
- The Venus flytrap lures its prey not only with bright colors and pleasant scents but also with a bluish glow.
- The Venus flytrap can assess the size of its prey. It releases large insects it cannot consume.
- Scientists and breeders continually develop new varieties of the Venus flytrap. These plants come in various colors, hues, sizes of hairs, and traps. In some botanical gardens, you can find flowers with raspberry-colored traps. Such plants are very expensive.
- Throughout its life, the plant consumes insects only 4-7 times before eventually dying.
The Venus flytrap is listed in the Red Book. - The plant’s sap can digest meat, cartilage, nail clippings, and even tooth enamel. However, it cannot digest sweet, sour, or starchy plant material.