‘Flesh eaters’ – carnivorous plants
by Chris, 27 February, 2016, 3 comments
Generally, speaking plants obtain the nutrients that they need from the soil - through their root systems. However, some soils are low in particular nutrients (especially nitrate - the source of nitrogen needed for organic compounds like amino acids and proteins). Some plants have ‘solved’ this problem by being carnivorous - feeding on / digesting small arthropods, such as spiders (arachnids), beetles, ants, flies etc (insects).
Some carnivorous plants, such as the sundews (Drosera sp.) catch insects with the sticky glands on their modified leaves. Their name refers to the glistening drops of sticky mucilage on the tip of each gland (see featured image). Read more...
