Carnivorous PlantsCarnivorous Plants

By Brandon DavisBy Brandon Davis

What Makes a Plant Carnivorous?What Makes a Plant Carnivorous?

A Carnivorous Plant is: Plants adapted to A Carnivorous Plant is: Plants adapted to attract and capture and digest, primarily attract and capture and digest, primarily insects but also other small animalsinsects but also other small animals --Dictionary.comDictionary.comA Carnivorous Plant is: Able to catch and A Carnivorous Plant is: Able to catch and digest animals such as insects and small digest animals such as insects and small invertebrates invertebrates ––Encarta.comEncarta.com

Problems With these DefinitionsProblems With these Definitions

Cobra Lilly and the Cobra Lilly and the Rainbow Plant lack the Rainbow Plant lack the enzymes enzymes The Devils claw doesnThe Devils claw doesn’’t t actually kill its hostactually kill its host

Semi Carnivorous PlantsSemi Carnivorous Plants

Petunias Petunias ––Thick mass of Thick mass of TrichomesTrichomesPotatoes Potatoes ––Brittle Brittle TrichomesTrichomesTeasels Teasels ––Cup shaped leavesCup shaped leavesAs the insects are As the insects are decomposed their nutrients decomposed their nutrients can be absorbed by the can be absorbed by the leaves or rootsleaves or roots

Why are These Plants Why are These Plants Carnivorous?Carnivorous?

Soil is Acidic Soil is Acidic Soil is water loggedSoil is water loggedSoil contains No Soil contains No nutrientsnutrientsAnimals look like Animals look like

little walking vitamin little walking vitamin Pills Pills

The History The History 1578 Henry 1578 Henry LyteLyte wrote wrote ““New HerbalNew Herbal””1763 Governor of N. Carolina discovered 1763 Governor of N. Carolina discovered ““Flytrap SensitiveFlytrap Sensitive””Early 1800Early 1800’’s the Greenhouse was inventeds the Greenhouse was invented1875 Darwin publishes Insectivorous plants1875 Darwin publishes Insectivorous plantsWWIWWI--WWII very little discoveries due to WWII very little discoveries due to abandonment of Greenhousesabandonment of Greenhouses

No Nutrients In MediaNutrient Rich Media

The Venus Fly Trap The Venus Fly Trap DionaeaDionaea muscipulamuscipula

Named after Diana the Named after Diana the Greek goddess of love Greek goddess of love and beauty By and beauty By CarolusCarolusLinnaeusLinnaeusNative to the CarolinaNative to the Carolina’’ssThreatened Species due Threatened Species due to habitat destruction and to habitat destruction and fire prevention programsfire prevention programs

RhizomeRhizomeCan live 20Can live 20--30 years30 yearsLeaves consists of a Leaves consists of a petiole (expanded leaf petiole (expanded leaf base) and trap which is base) and trap which is the true leafthe true leafSpring leaves: Thick Spring leaves: Thick heartheart--shaped Petioles and shaped Petioles and thin elongated petiolesthin elongated petiolesFlowers in springFlowers in spring

Fall and winter leaves: May produce Fall and winter leaves: May produce traps but are unresponsive. Petioles traps but are unresponsive. Petioles are short and thickare short and thickRequires a dormancy periodRequires a dormancy periodTrap color is effected by light intensity Trap color is effected by light intensity and cultivar typeand cultivar type

How the Trap WorksHow the Trap WorksWhen trap is open:When trap is open:Lobes are concave and consists Lobes are concave and consists

of 3of 3--4 trigger hairs4 trigger hairsNectar is produced by glands Nectar is produced by glands found along the inner base of the found along the inner base of the leafleafHairs must be triggeredHairs must be triggeredAn electrical current is produced An electrical current is produced Cells on outside wall of the lobes Cells on outside wall of the lobes lengthen doubling sizelengthen doubling size

Trap doesnTrap doesn’’t close all the t close all the way at first way at first Large insects continue to Large insects continue to trigger hairs trigger hairs Trap seals and digestive Trap seals and digestive fluids are secreted fluids are secreted Insect is liquidized and plant Insect is liquidized and plant absorbs its nutrientsabsorbs its nutrients44--10 days later the trap 10 days later the trap reopensreopens

CultivarsCultivars

DenteDenteRed DragonRed DragonSawtoothSawtoothFused toothFused toothGreen DragonGreen DragonTypicalTypical

SundewsSundewsDroseraDrosera SpSp..

DroseraDrosera in Greek means in Greek means ““dewydewy””Approximately 130 species Approximately 130 species on almost every continenton almost every continentSome are Tuber Forming Some are Tuber Forming

The LeafThe LeafUppermost surface is Uppermost surface is covered with hundreds of covered with hundreds of Tentacles with a reddish Tentacles with a reddish glands at the tip glands at the tip Most glands produce Most glands produce drops of clear, gluey, drops of clear, gluey, mucilage liquids mucilage liquids When stimulated When stimulated Tentacles move towards Tentacles move towards the stimulationthe stimulation

The LeafThe Leaf

After initial gluing After initial gluing Glands secrete Glands secrete enzymes and acidsenzymes and acidsMovement is similar Movement is similar to The Flytrap but to The Flytrap but not completely not completely understoodunderstood

Types of SundewsTypes of Sundews

Cape SundewsCape SundewsRosette Subtropical SundewsRosette Subtropical SundewsForkFork--Leafed SundewsLeafed SundewsTropical SundewsTropical SundewsWooly SundewsWooly SundewsPygmy SundewsPygmy SundewsTuberous SundewsTuberous Sundews

ButterwortsButterwortsPinguiculaPinguicula Sp.Sp.

PinguiculaPinguicula in Latin means in Latin means ““little greasy onelittle greasy one””““PingsPings”” exist as far north as exist as far north as the artic circle and as far the artic circle and as far south as Mexico with only a south as Mexico with only a few in the South Americafew in the South America’’ssNearly 70 species have Nearly 70 species have been discoveredbeen discovered

The LeafThe Leaf

Oval leaves arise from the center of the Oval leaves arise from the center of the plantplantLeaf Margins are tapered upward.Leaf Margins are tapered upward.The surface of the leaves contains The surface of the leaves contains thousands of glandular hairs that secrete a thousands of glandular hairs that secrete a gluey substancegluey substanceSessile glands are dry until stimulatedSessile glands are dry until stimulated

When stimulated, When stimulated, Sessile glands secrete Sessile glands secrete enzymes and acidsenzymes and acidsSome posses the Some posses the power to move, leaf power to move, leaf margins will raise margins will raise Digestive fluids is a Digestive fluids is a bactericidebactericide

More More ButterwortsButterworts

Dewy Pine Dewy Pine DrosophyllumDrosophyllum lusitanicumlusitanicum

Native to Portugal, Spain, and Native to Portugal, Spain, and MoroccoMoroccoGrows in dry, alkaline, sandy soilsGrows in dry, alkaline, sandy soilsSurvives on absorbing Moisture Survives on absorbing Moisture from the persistent fog from the persistent fog Roots produce Growth limiting Roots produce Growth limiting chemicals to prevent competitionchemicals to prevent competition

The LeafThe Leaf

A small furrow runs along the A small furrow runs along the ““needleneedle--likelike”” leaf.leaf.Furrow is lined with gluey glands Furrow is lined with gluey glands many of which are tinted redmany of which are tinted redGlands produce an aroma Glands produce an aroma described as described as ““sickly sweetsickly sweet””

Unlike the glands of Unlike the glands of Sundew, these Sundew, these glands continue to glands continue to produce sticky produce sticky mucilage as the mucilage as the insect strugglesinsect strugglesSessile glands Sessile glands produce digestive produce digestive enzymes to dissolve enzymes to dissolve insectinsect

Rainbow Plant Rainbow Plant ByblisByblis

Although very similar in appearance to the Although very similar in appearance to the sundew, it is more closely related to a sundew, it is more closely related to a ping.ping.Primary hairPrimary hair--like glands glue the insectlike glands glue the insectSecondary Glands digest the insect. Secondary Glands digest the insect.

The PlantThe Plant

No Enzymes or Bacteria No Enzymes or Bacteria have been found in the have been found in the fluidfluidFungi are theorized to be Fungi are theorized to be responsible for digestionresponsible for digestionThe Assassin Bug lives The Assassin Bug lives amongst it, Capable of amongst it, Capable of killing larger prey when killing larger prey when glued to the surfaceglued to the surface

North American Pitcher Plants North American Pitcher Plants SarraceniaSarracenia Sp.Sp.

7 Species grow in the south 7 Species grow in the south east United States east United States 1 species Grows in the 1 species Grows in the NorthwestNorthwest1 is capable of growing alkaline 1 is capable of growing alkaline soilssoilsLess than 5% of their Habitat Less than 5% of their Habitat remains in the Southeastern remains in the Southeastern United States due to Draining United States due to Draining of bogs and Fire Prevention of bogs and Fire Prevention ProgramsPrograms

The Leaf is divided into 4 The Leaf is divided into 4 zoneszonesZone 1 Attractive zone Zone 1 Attractive zone Consists of Nectar glands Consists of Nectar glands and down pointing hairsand down pointing hairsZone 2 A smooth nectar Zone 2 A smooth nectar producing wallproducing wallZone 3 A smooth Waxy Zone 3 A smooth Waxy wall of Digestive glandswall of Digestive glandsZone 4 Downward Zone 4 Downward Pointing hairs Digestive Pointing hairs Digestive and absorption areaand absorption area

Types of Picher PlantsTypes of Picher Plants

Cobra Lilly Cobra Lilly DarlingtoniaDarlingtonia CalifornicaCalifornica

Native to N. California and Native to N. California and Southern OregonSouthern OregonMountain Loving PlantsMountain Loving PlantsDoesn't use enzymes to break Doesn't use enzymes to break down insects but relies on down insects but relies on bacteriabacteriaTrap is very similar to Trap is very similar to SarraceniaSarraceniaCapable of eating AmphibiansCapable of eating Amphibians

The TrapThe Trap

Trap lures with Nectar glandsTrap lures with Nectar glandsEntrance hole is similar to a Entrance hole is similar to a lobster traplobster trapSemiSemi--transparent cells along transparent cells along the hood the hood Plant absorbs nutrients Plant absorbs nutrients released by the bacteriareleased by the bacteria

Sun Pitchers Sun Pitchers HeliamphoraHeliamphora Sp.Sp.

Native to the mountains Native to the mountains in Southern Venezuela, in Southern Venezuela, North Brazil and North Brazil and GuayanaGuayanaVery cold, windy and Very cold, windy and cloudy cloudy

The TrapThe Trap

Spoon secretes nectarSpoon secretes nectarA slit has formed to A slit has formed to remove excess water remove excess water from pitcher from pitcher Symbiotic relationship Symbiotic relationship with some amphibianswith some amphibians

West Australian Pitcher Plant West Australian Pitcher Plant CephalotusCephalotus follicularisfollicularis

RhizomeRhizomeProduces nonProduces non--carnivorous carnivorous leaves in springleaves in springProduces Pitchers in summerProduces Pitchers in summerContains a lid as well as Contains a lid as well as collarcollarLids may fold downward in Lids may fold downward in dry conditions to avoid dry conditions to avoid evaporation of digestive evaporation of digestive juicesjuices

Tropical Pitcher Plants Tropical Pitcher Plants Nepenthes Sp.Nepenthes Sp.

Native to Southeast Asia, Native to Southeast Asia, India, Madagascar and India, Madagascar and AustraliaAustraliaApproximately 80 SpeciesApproximately 80 SpeciesCapable of eating Small Capable of eating Small MammalsMammalsFirst thought Trap was used for First thought Trap was used for water storagewater storage

PhysiologyPhysiology

Genus is separated into Genus is separated into lowland and Highland typeslowland and Highland typesLowland enjoy warm nights, Lowland enjoy warm nights, Highland requires cool nightsHighland requires cool nightsSome grow epiphytically on Some grow epiphytically on tree branchestree branches

PhysiologyPhysiology

The purpose of the climbing The purpose of the climbing stem is to display their stem is to display their flowers higher in the air flowers higher in the air Plants are Plants are DioeciousDioecious30% of all plants In the wild 30% of all plants In the wild are maleare maleNectar is shown to have Nectar is shown to have intoxicating effects on intoxicating effects on insectsinsects

Living EcosystemsLiving Ecosystems

Over 150 species of animals Over 150 species of animals make the Traps their homemake the Traps their homeDuring drought Nepenthes During drought Nepenthes can feed entire ant coloniescan feed entire ant coloniesMosquito's, fly larva, and Mosquito's, fly larva, and frogs can live in the digestive frogs can live in the digestive fluidsfluids

The TrapThe TrapPetiole consists of an Petiole consists of an oval leaf oval leaf A tendril and a PitcherA tendril and a PitcherHas a lid and a lipHas a lid and a lipMay have a rib or May have a rib or wingswingsUsually lower Pitchers Usually lower Pitchers are colorful and bulkier are colorful and bulkier unlike the climbing unlike the climbing pitcherspitchers

Nectar glands are Nectar glands are found on the Tendril, found on the Tendril, Wings and PitcherWings and PitcherUpper Zone is waxyUpper Zone is waxyLower zone contains Lower zone contains Thousands of large Thousands of large glands capable of glands capable of dissolving insects in dissolving insects in a few daysa few days

Benefits to HumansBenefits to Humans

Old Pitchers have been used as a Old Pitchers have been used as a source of drinking watersource of drinking waterPitches are also used to cook ricePitches are also used to cook riceUnopened Pitchers provide a Unopened Pitchers provide a sterile solution for eyewash, sterile solution for eyewash, asthma reliever, and a pain killerasthma reliever, and a pain killerRoots are used to reduce feversRoots are used to reduce feversOther parts are used for Other parts are used for indigestion, heartburn, and indigestion, heartburn, and DysenteryDysentery

PitchersPitchers

N. N. bicalcaratabicalcarataN. N. hamatahamataN. N. infundibuliformisinfundibuliformisN. N. lowiilowii eats tree shrewseats tree shrewsN. rajah Holds 4 quarts of liquidN. rajah Holds 4 quarts of liquid

Bladderwort Bladderwort UtriculariaUtricularia Sp.Sp.

Grow on every continent in the Grow on every continent in the worldworldCurrently 214 species have been Currently 214 species have been discovered. discovered. Aquatic or terrestrial Aquatic or terrestrial RootlessRootlessProtrude Photosynthetic Protrude Photosynthetic stolonsstolonsAquatic species may have thin Aquatic species may have thin branching leavesbranching leaves

The Bladder TrapThe Bladder Trap

Originally thought as a Originally thought as a flotation deviceflotation device1/8 to 1/8 to ½½ inchinchHollow only 2 cells thick Hollow only 2 cells thick with a one entrancewith a one entranceWhen closed mucilage When closed mucilage keeps door water tightkeeps door water tight

Filament hairs guide prey toward the doorFilament hairs guide prey toward the doorNegative pressure In the Bladder sucks prey Negative pressure In the Bladder sucks prey into itinto itWater is pumped out and digestive fluids are Water is pumped out and digestive fluids are releasedreleasedFeeds on: Nematodes, Water fleas, Worms, Feeds on: Nematodes, Water fleas, Worms, mosquito larva, fish, and tadpolesmosquito larva, fish, and tadpoles

Other less Known Carnivores Other less Known Carnivores

Shepherds PurseShepherds Purse-- Sticky MucilageSticky MucilageDevils ClawDevils Claw-- Sticky MucilageSticky MucilageBromeliadsBromeliads-- PitcherPitcher--likelikeRoridulaRoridula-- Similar to Rainbow PlantSimilar to Rainbow PlantWater Wheel PlantWater Wheel Plant-- Aquatic ancestor to Aquatic ancestor to Venus FlytrapVenus Flytrap

ReferencesReferencesDD’’amatoamato, Peter. The Savage Garden. 1998 , Peter. The Savage Garden. 1998 Darwin Charles Insectivorous Plants. 1875Darwin Charles Insectivorous Plants. 1875James and Patricia James and Patricia PietropaoloPietropaolo Carnivorous Carnivorous Plants of the World. 1986Plants of the World. 1986Carnivorous Plant Search Carnivorous Plant Search http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/carnivorohttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/carnivorous%20plantus%20plantCarnivorous Plant Search Carnivorous Plant Search http://http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_/carnivorous.hencarta.msn.com/dictionary_/carnivorous.htmltml