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Carnivorous plants
Carnivorous plants grow in poor soil and get needed nutrients from insects. There are five types in South Carolin
Yellow Trumpet Pitcher Plant
One group of carnivorous plants are called Pitcher Plants.
Yellow Trumpet Pitcher Plant
Pitcher plants are tubular with funnel shaped leaves and hoods. Insects are attracted to the red spot on the plant and fall in.
tube of Yellow Pitcher Plant
insects fall into the tube
Looking into the tube
Sometimes can see remnants of insects here.
Inside of tube
At the inside top, a waxy substance helps insects slide town the tube. You can see two insects in the tube if you look closely.
Inside the tube
Stiff, downward pointing hairs make it difficult for an insect to just crawl out, leaving him trapped so the plant can digest the insect.
Dissecting the tube
Cutting through the length of the tube, you can see the remnants of insects.
Remnants of insects
parts not digested by the plant
Yellow Trumpet Pitcher Plant
Yellow pitcher plant with its spring bloom.
Hooded Pitcher Plant
The hood blocks light entering the plant. Along the sides, there are lighter "windows". An insect flies toward these lighter areas but cannot escape so falls deeper into the plant.
Sweet Pitcher Plant
Red blooms in spring
Venus Fly Trap
This is an active carnivorous plant because it traps insects rather than just attracting them like pitcher plants.
Venus Fly Trap
The reddish part of each two-lobed leaf has nectar glands that attract insects.
Venus Fly Trap
An insect has to " trigger" one of the hairs twice or two different hairs once within about 20 seconds. The leaf then quickly closes on the insect and digestive glands start toa ct on the insect.
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