Despite its modest proportions and rarity in the wild, the Venus flytrap ( Dionaea muscipula ) is one of the most recognizable plants in the world—its iconic form more than simply suggestive of the flytrap’s carnivorous potential. That role reversal, a plant that eats animals, has become a popular novelty for many people, driving a lucrative market in cultivated plants— and sadly, the poaching of wild ones as well. In its native longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) forests of the Carolinas,
Nutritional Supplement by Nick Kanakis Landscapes, Waterscapes, and Flora Finalist
however, carnivory is a means of survival. There, the species makes its living much like other plants, harnessing energy from sunlight to make its food. In contrast to many other plants, however, the Venus flytrap must also catch vital nutrients that are missing from the soils in which it grows. With hinged leaves that snap shut at the slightest touch of hair-like triggers on their surfaces, it’s highly specialized to do just that, as this hover fly (Toxomerus sp.) going about its business in a North Carolina forest last November learned the hard way.
Taking a Load Off by Nicolas Reusens Winged Life Finalist
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