Being a gardener doesn't have to be boring. If you want something unusual, carnivorous plants are bound to get attention. From the common Venus Flytrap to the Cobra plant, these interesting plants serve several purposes. In areas that have high populations of pests, it lowers the amount of flies or other insects that annoy you. While the benefit is limited to the size and type of carnivorous plants that you own, these plants can provide a small amount of relief while providing entertainment to adults and children alike.
There are five unique subsets of carnivorous plants. The most known type, the same family that the Venus Flytrap contains, is the snap trap family. Snap traps depend on a mouth that closes in around its pray, where the plant will eat anything it snares.
The second type are pitfall traps. These traps require food tumbling into the plant and being unable to escape. Unique in their triggers for survival, they need to undergo evolution often, as liquid can pool in the heart of the plant as well as the bugs that the plant eats. These plants range from colorful to bland, and do not have moving parts like their snap trap cousins.
Flypaper traps are among some of the most unique carnivorous plants. These plants secrete a glue which ensnares and breaks down insects for nourishment. These carnivorous plants should be approached with caution in the residence, as the secretions can cause agitation to the skin.
Bladder traps are a fascinating subset of carnivorous plants. These plants function through the osmosis of water to create a suction within the body of the plant. Once an insect or aquatic species has been trapped within, escape is difficult. Unlike many carnivorous plants, these are more commonly found underwater than above ground. Some species of bladder traps, such as the Bladderwort, lack roots, which make them a creative addition to any collection.
Finally, the lobster pot traps are among some of the most unusual appearing carnivorous plants that you can acquire. These plants survive by giving bugs a simple way to gain entry, but little chance of departure. In the case of the corkscrew plant, the internal structure of the plant have downward pointing obstructions and a y-shaped leaf structure that stops the escape of its prey. The unusual shapes of lobster pot traps are directly related to their evolution to prevent the escape of bugs.
For those desiring in borderline species, there are several types of plants that do not meet all of the requirements of carnivorous plants, but have some characteristics. These plants include the Brocchinia Roridula and members of the Martyniaceae species. These species do not have one of the three required aspects, which is to attract, kill and digest prey, to be classed as a true carnivorous plant.
Carnivorous plants should be grown where young children and babies cannot reach them. While most of them are mostly non toxic to humans, digestion of these species should be avoided, due to the digestive enzymes that the plant uses to devour prey.
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