- Natural occurrence of Venus Flytraps
- The snap traps snap shut at lightning speed
- The flower of the Venus Flytrap
- Venus fly plants are cultivated as a houseplant
Unlike other carnivorous plants, of which there are many different species, the Venus flytrap is represented by only one species. The botanical name is Dionaea muscipula. The plant belongs to the sundew family and is characterized by its folding traps.
There is only one type of Venus flytrap
Natural occurrence of Venus Flytraps
The Venus flytrap is naturally found in only one region in the United States, North and South Carolina. The first plants were mentioned in literature in 1768.
The snap traps snap shut at lightning speed
The catch traps of the Venus flytrap, which differ significantly from other types of carnivorous plants, are particularly characteristic.
Venus flytraps form traps that are shaped like a scoop. The inside turns bright red, attracting prey such as bees, mosquitoes, ants and spiders. As soon as they touch the inside, the trap closes at lightning speed. This movement is one of the fastest known in the entire plant kingdom.
The prey is digested by secretions. This process takes a few days. The trap then opens again. After seven openings, the lifetime of a catch trap is over. It then dries up. By then, however, the Venus flytrap had already formed many new traps.
The flower of the Venus Flytrap
The Venus Flytrap is primarily bred for its catching traps. However, the plant also produces flowers that grow on stalks that are 30 to 50 centimeters long.
The flowers are white and green. They are conditionally self-fertile.
Venus fly plants are cultivated as a houseplant
In its homeland, the Venus fly plant is conditionally hardy. In local latitudes, the plant is cultivated as a houseplant because it does not tolerate freezing temperatures well.
In contrast to other types of carnivorous plants, the care of the Venus flytrap is somewhat more complex. This is especially true for the humidity that the Venus flytrap needs.
Hibernation is tricky as the Venus flytrap needs cooler but very even temperatures. A favorable winter location is therefore in a terrarium.
tips
Unlike many species of carnivores, the Venus flytrap takes a long time to form flowers. It only flowers for the first time after three or four years. Plants propagated from offshoots, on the other hand, flower very early.