If you want to add a unique touch to your garden If you want something different, carnivorous plants are bound to get attention. From the common Venus Flytrap to the Cobra plant, these interesting plants serve a few purposes. In regions that have large numbers of pests, it decreases the number of flies or other insects that bother you. While the benefit is limited to the size and species of carnivorous plants that you own, these plants can grant a small amount of relief while providing entertainment to adults and children alike.
There are five different subsets of carnivorous plants. The most known type, the same family that the Venus Flytrap contains, is the snap trap family. Snap traps rely on a mouth that closes in around its pray, where the plant will eat anything 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 heart of the plant as well as the bugs that the plant eats. These plants range from beautiful 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 secrete a glue which traps and devours insects for nourishment. These carnivorous plants should be treated with caution in the residence, 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.
Finally, the lobster pot traps are among some of the most exotic looking carnivorous plants that you can buy. These plants function by giving bugs a simple way to enter, but little chance of escape. 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 prevent the escape of insects.
For those desiring something even more different, in borderline species, there are a few types of plants that do not meet all of the requirements of carnivorous plants, but have similar characteristics. These plants include the Brocchinia Roridula and members of the Martyniaceae species. These plants lack one of the three required aspects, which is to attract, kill and digest prey, to be classified 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, digestion of these species should be avoided, due to the digestive enzymes that the plant utilizes to devour prey.
More info on landscaping and plants can be found here Flowering Plant Identification
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