February 2022

Insectivorous plants: “Insectivorous plants” or “Carnivorous plants” are plants whose leaves have been adapted to capture insects to meet their nitrogen requirements.
1)The spoon-shaped Drosera Lamina is covered in sticky hairs called Tentacles that shimmer like dew in the sunlight. Insects mistook it for Nector and landed on it to feed. Sensitive tentacles bend over insects, trapping and digesting them using tentacle secretions.
2)In Nepenthes (Pitcher) complete Leaf is changed into a beautifully colored Pitcher, with a top to capture the Insects. The Pitcher’s inner wall is covered in hairs that prevent insects from escaping and secrete digestive enzymes that help it digest its protein. The Pitcher’s edge is a little slick. When an insect lands on a pitcher, it crawls inside and is digested.
3)Dionea muscipulata (Venus Fly Trap): It traps prey via trapping structures made by the margins of rosette leaves, which are equipped with tiny hair known as ‘Trigger hair.’ These are touch-sensitive. The lamina’s inner surface is brilliantly colored.
4) Utricularia (Bladderwort) is a submerged Hydrophyte with floating and submerged leaves. A Bladder with a Trap door is created from the floating leaf. It permits small aquatic insects to enter, then closes the trap door, imprisoning and digesting the bug to meet the nitrogen requirement.