How Do They Work?

How Does The Plant Catch Prey?

Step .1 Leaf Growth

The herb forms a rosette of between four and seven leaves, which grow from a sub-terra rhizome. The rhizome has two distinct regions: an upper, green, leafy region and a pink under region.

The pink region sits below the soil and is responsible for root production whereas the the green region sits above the soil to provide enough energy through photosynthesis for new leaves to develop. Each leaf reaches a size varying between 3 to 7 centimeters depending on cultivar (variety) and season.

Step .2 The Trap

The leaf blade is divided into two very different regions: a flat cobra-hood shaped photosynthetic petiole, and a pair of terminal lobes with a hinge mid rib of the leaf. These lobes form the Trap. The upper surface of the lobes contain a red anthocyanin pigments and its edges secrete mucilage. The lobes, when stimulated, rapidly snap shut. This action is caused when a small insect touches one of the three hair like trichomes that are on the upper surface of each lobe.

Step .3 Catching The Prey

The trigger hairs must be touched multiple times in quick succession to avoid a false alarm (from rain or larger creatures). The edges of the lobes are fringed by stiff cilia, which close together (like sharks teeth) and prevent the plants prey from getting out. Small prey is allowed to escape as the energy cost to the plant would be more than the benefit achieved through digestion. In this instance the trap would reopen within the day to allow for another attempt. This process does still cost the plant vital energy however and if done continuously the plant can die from exhaustion. If the trap successfully traps a good sized insect it tightens and digests the insect.