Venus flytrap

Figure 13. The Venus flytrap is probably the most famous predatory plant. (Photograph by the author. More about the photograph)

Figure 13 shows the most famous rare plant of longleaf pine savannas, the Venus flytrap. These predatory plants capture and digest insects between the folds of their specialized leaves. You can see the comb-like extensions of the leaf edges that interface with those from the other edge to trap an inattentive ant or fly. The leaves fold remarkably quickly when “triggers” near the fold are touched. Folding is accomplished by rapid water loss from swollen cells near the fold. As the water is released, the leaf folds and traps whatever touched the triggers.

These plants are almost too interesting for their own good. They are often poached from wild areas and sold along roadsides. They rarely live long after being removed from their natural setting, though, so I urge you not to buy them.

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