Sunday, December 7, 2008

Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous Plants Video

For those desiring a different gardening experience If you want something unique, carnivorous plants are bound to get attention. From the common Venus Flytrap to the Cobra plant, these exotics serve a few purposes. In areas that have high populations of pests, it lowers the number of flies or other insects that annoy you. While the benefit is strictly related to the size and species of carnivorous plants that you own, these plants can grant a small level 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.

The second type are pitfall traps. These traps rely on 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 gather in the pitchers of the plant in addition to the bugs that the plant eats. These plants range from beautiful to bland, and do not have hinged parts like their snap trap counterparts.

Flypaper traps are among some of the coolest carnivorous plants. These plants ooze out a glue which traps and devours insects for nourishment. 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 some of the most unusual appearing carnivorous plants that you can buy. These plants function by giving insects a simple way to enter, but little chance of escape. In the case of the corkscrew plant, the internal structure of the plant have downward pointing barriers and a y-shaped leaf form that stops the escape of its prey. The unusual shapes of lobster pot traps are directly related to their evolution to stop the escape of bugs.

For those wanting 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 species do not have one of the three required aspects, which is to attract, kill and digest prey, to be considered as a true carnivorous plant.

Carnivorous plants should be grown where young children and babies cannot touch them. While quite a few of them are relatively harmless to humans, eating one of these species should be avoided, due to the digestive enzymes that the plant uses to devour prey.

More ideas on landscaping and plants can be found here Coca Plant

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