Thursday, January 1, 2009

Unusual Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous Plants Video

If you want to add an odd touch to your garden If you want something unusual, carnivorous plants are bound to get attention. From the common Venus Flytrap to the Cobra plant, these unusual plants serve a few purposes. In areas that have large numbers of pests, it lowers the number of flies or other insects that annoy you. While the benefit is limited to the size and type of carnivorous plants that you own, these plants can grant a small amount of relief while providing entertainment to adults and children alike.

There are five different types of carnivorous plants. The most known type, the same family that the Venus Flytrap contains, is the snap trap family. Snap traps rely on a mouth that closes in around its pray, where the plant will eat whatever it snares.

The second species set are pitfall traps. These traps require prey falling into the plant and being unable to escape. Unique in their triggers for survival, they need to undergo evolution frequently,, as water can pool in the heart of the plant in addition to the bugs that the plant devours. These plants range from beautiful to bland, and do not have moving parts like their snap trap cousins.

Flypaper traps are among some of the most unique carnivorous plants. These plants ooze out a glue which traps and breaks down insects for food. These carnivorous plants should be treated with caution in the home, as the secretions can cause damage to the skin.

Bladder traps are a fascinating subset of carnivorous plants. These plants function through the osmosis of water to create a suction within the body of the plant. Once an insect or aquatic species has been trapped within, escape is difficult. Unlike many carnivorous plants, these are more commonly found underwater than above ground. Some species of bladder traps, such as the Bladderwort, lack roots, which make them a creative addition to any collection.

Finally, the lobster pot traps are among some of the most exotic appearing carnivorous plants that you can acquire. These plants function by giving pests an easy way to gain entry, but little chance of departure. In the case of the corkscrew plant, the insides of the plant have downward pointing obstructions and a y-shaped leaf form that prevents the escape of its prey. The unusual shapes of lobster pot traps are directly related to their evolution to stop the escape of pests.

For those desiring in borderline species, there are a few varieties of plants that do not meet all of the requirements of carnivorous plants, but have similar characteristics. These plants include the Brocchinia Roridula and members of the Martyniaceae species. These plants do not have one of the three required aspects, which is to attract, kill and digest prey, to be classified as a proper carnivorous plant.

Carnivorous plants should be grown where young children and babies cannot touch them. While quite a few of them are relatively harmless to humans, eating one of these plants should be avoided, due to the digestive enzymes that the plant utilizes to devour prey.

 

Find more information on patio go to Bamboo Plants as well as here Plant Creepers

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