Humans aren't the only carnivores. There are at least 630 species of carniverous plants that "attract and trap prey, produce digestive enzymes, and absorb the resulting available nutrients". Also from the Wiki:
Five basic trapping mechanisms are found in carnivorous plants.
1.Pitfall traps (pitcher plants) trap prey in a rolled leaf that contains a pool of digestive enzymes or bacteria.
2.Flypaper traps use a sticky mucilage.
3.Snap traps utilize rapid leaf movements.
4.Bladder traps suck in prey with a bladder that generates an internal vacuum.
5.Lobster-pot traps force prey to move towards a digestive organ with inward-pointing hairs.
My friend Lorry painted this drawing which was used to promote a carniverous plant exhibit at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Looks like it is an example of #1, above - the pitfall trap.
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I used to have a plant in my yard at the last place we lived. It attracted flies--and stunk to high heaven. But we didn't have many flies--the plant ate 'em. LOVE the postcard!!! lol
ReplyDeleteFascinating!
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