Most of us recognize a Venus flytrap on sight, with its bean-shaped, ferocious-looking "toothed" leaves. But what do we really know about it? We'll take a look at that plant and its carnivorous cousins. Keep in mind as you learn about these plants that--believe it or not--there are actually some on this earth that can eat rats and mice, and even small birds.
Pitcher plants like these (right) attract prey to the edge of their cups. The prey falls or climbs in and then cannot escape. These carnivorous plants can be grown from rhizomes or seeds.
The sundew captures insects by way of a sticky substance, called mucilage, on its leaves.
The cobra lily grows in the states of Washington and Oregon and is named for its resemblance to a hooded cobra snake. When fully developed, the cobra lily has a striking red color.
Butterworts, like sundews, have sticky leaves that allow them to capture insects--usually tiny gnats--for food.
Venus flytraps can be grown from seed but are still very small even after two years (right). They are the most widely grown carnivorous plant in the home. You can feed them dead flies that you find around the house or offer them a bit of cooked egg white, but don't get out the hamburger. Too rich.
For the most part, if you have a Venus flytrap, don't worry about providing room service--it will catch its own food. Take a look at this video to see how!
Propagation Steps
If you want to increase your herd of little meat-eating plants, you'll find it pretty easy to do:
- Take a healthy leaf cutting from the mother plant.
- Dust the end of the cutting with rooting hormone, preferably one combined with a fungicide to prevent rot.
- Fill a small pot with moist sphagnum moss.
- Place the cutting in the prepared pot.
- Put the pot in a plastic bag.
- Seal the bag and put it in a warm place--out of direct sun--until roots form. Then take the pot out of the bag and introduce the plant to your home, making sure to provide humidity in the form of a pebble tray or routine misting.
Resources carnivorous plants
Peter Pauls Nurseries
4665 Chapin Rd.
Canandaigua, NY 14424-8713
USA
URL:
www.peterpauls.com
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REAL VIDEO
