Common Names:
Venus Flytrap
Phonetic Spelling:
dy-oh-NEE-uh MUS-sip-yoo-luh
Description:
The Dionaea muscipula is a small, perennial carnivorous plant that typically grows 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) tall. It has a rosette of basal leaves with specialized leaf structures known as traps. The leaves are modified into lobes with hinged, tooth-edged traps that snap shut when prey touches tiny trigger hairs.
Fun fact: The plant produces small, white flowers on a long stalk, which bloom in summer. The flowers are not as showy as the traps.
Distribution/Location:
Native to the Carolinas in the southeastern United States.
- Habitat: It thrives in nutrient-poor, acidic, and damp environments, such as bogs and swamps.
Environmental Concerns:
The Venus Flytrap is vulnerable due to habitat loss, poaching, and the collection for the horticultural trade.
Additional Notes:
The Venus Flytrap helps control insect populations in its native habitat and has unique adaptations for nutrient acquisition, despite its scary looks.
- The plant is popular in horticulture and educational settings due to its fascinating carnivorous mechanisms.
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