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byblis_filifolia,ANOTHER CARNIVORE.
Yeah,i mean plants as in crops and shrubs.These plants,which are not new are considered carnivorous because they derive most ,if not all,of there nutrition from trapping,killing and digesting small animals,mostly insects.These plants have special mechanisms that aid them in carrying out this peculiar digestive processes.Let us go straight and make a non technical introduction of these flesh eating plants so that we might recognise their rights at the abattoir and hunting grounds.
1]DARLINGTONIA CARLIFORNICA,ALSO CALLED THE COBRA LILLY is a carnivorous(flesh eating) plant which has leaves that are bulbous with a hollow cavity which has an opening(mouth) positioned below a balloon structure and two pointed leaves hanging off like fangs or shark tail.This plant uses a kind of pot trap that has spectra of light diffused inside through the leaves in rays that confuse insects once inside. The inside of the pot trap is made of thousands of tiny hairs whose density and direction of protrusion make it possible for the prey to move in only one direction,which is towards the deeper recesses of the pot trap where they will eventually die and be digested.The light rays and the hairs do not allow for reverse movement and escape.
2] SARRACENIA,(NORTH AMERICAN PITCHER PLANT) has funnel-like leaves with a hood growing over the opening to prevent rain from entering the funnels where it could dilute and incapacitate the juices(digestive enzymes) stored there in wait for a prey.A necter-like secretion on the fringes of the pitcher attracts insects by its colour and smell.In some species,the footings are slippery near the necter(which is laced with some substances that are narcotic to the insects)causing them to stagger and fall inside the open funnel where they eventually die and are digested by the aid of the enzymes and proteases in the funnel serving as the plants psuedo-stomach.
3]DROSERA which is commonly known as sundew is another meat-eater plant.Drosera has glandular tentacles that attract insects with its delicious smelling secretions.When insects land on the sticky tentacles,the plant adjust more tentacles to the direction of the prey to trap it further.When the insect (food) is secure,some small ssessile glands will digest and absorb it for nutrition of the plant.
4]Dionaea is also known as venus flytrap.The leaf blade is naturally divided.It has a flat,heart-shaped petiole that has photocells which can accomplish photosynthesis.It also has a pair of terminal lobes with hinges at the middle which form the trap.The inner surface of the lobes has a red pigment whose edges secrete mucilage which in total look
very succulent and attract insects.The fringes are made of cilia in form of thorns which mesh together like crocodile teeth and prevent large prey from escaping.The edges of the lobes fuse together,sealing the trap as it forms into enclosed stomach in which digestion takes place once prey is entrapped.
All image credit to Liln,a fair lady.
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