Unusual Carnivorous Plants
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 unusual plants serve several purposes. In areas that have high populations of bugs, it lowers the amount of flies or other insects that bother you. While the benefit is strictly related to the size and species 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 different types of carnivorous plants. The well known type, the same family that the Venus Flytrap contains, is the snap trap family. Snap traps rely on a mouth that snaps around its pray, where the plant will eat whatever it snares.
Next are pitfall traps. These traps require food falling into the plant and being unable to escape. These plants undergo constant evolution, as liquid can pool in the pitchers of the plant in addition to 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 coolest carnivorous plants. These plants ooze out a glue which traps and devours insects for food. These carnivorous plants should be treated with caution in the home, as the secretions can cause damage 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.
Last but not least, the lobster pot traps are among a few of the most Interesting looking carnivorous plants that you can acquire. These plants survive by allowing bugs a simple way to gain entry, but little chance of departure. In the case of the corkscrew plant, the insides of the plant have downward pointing obstructions and a y-shaped leaf structure that prevents the escape of its prey. The unusual shapes of lobster pot traps are directly related to their evolution to stop the escape of insects.
For those needing something even more different, in borderline species, there are a few varieties of plants that do not meet all of the requirements of carnivorous plants, but have sharing 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 count as a proper carnivorous plant.
Carnivorous plants should be placed where young children and babies cannot reach them. While most of them are relatively non toxic to humans, eating one of these plants should be avoided, due to the digestive enzymes that the plant utilizes to break down prey.
To get more info on landscaping and plants go to Carnivorous Plants
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