Parts of a Venus Fly-trap

The Venus fly-trap, also known as Dionaea muscipula, is a carnivorous plant that can be grown indoors our outdoors. Gardening enthusiasts enjoy growing Venus fly-traps because they are unlike any other flower or plant that can be grown in a flower garden. A Venus fly-trap requires water, soil and sunshine just like any other plant, but it also requires small insects as part of its diet.

Leaf Base

Venus fly-traps have two leaf parts: a leaf base and a leaf blade. A Venus fly-trap grows out of the ground with its broad and flat leaf base, which carries out photosynthesis.

Trapping Mechanism

The second leaf part of a Venus fly-trap is its trapping mechanism, also referred to as the trap, leaf-blade or lamina.
Ends of leaves are composed of two lobes hinged together that can open and close in order to trap a small insect.

Trigger Hairs

Venus fly-traps usually have several trigger hairs growing on each trap lobe. When an insect lands on a Venus fly-trap and moves around, trigger hairs know that it is live prey that can be trapped and eaten.

Venus Fly-trap Teeth

The egdes of a Venus fly-trap have teeth and look fingerlike. The teeth lace together when an insect is trapped by the plant.

Petiole

The two leaf parts of a Venus fly-trap, the leaf blade and leaf base, are joined together by a small stalk called the petiole.

Resources

• Venus Fly Trap Basic Information and Background