Physical Characteristics of Carnivorous Plants
Carnivorous plants eat insects by attracting, capturing, killing and digesting them. They then absorb these nutrients within their system. There are 11 families and 21 genera of carnivorous plants with about 500 species. Does this Spark an idea?
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Trapping Mechanism
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The common characteristic of all carnivorous plants is their trapping mechanism in the form of their adhesive snap, pitcher or suction traps.
Glue
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All plants are endowed with a glue that is a sticky mucilage which attracts insects.
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Other Accessories
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Carnivorous plants exhibit an increased efficacy for trapping insects with the use of olfactoric stimulation, colors, windows, slippery material and entrapping hair.
Weak Roots
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Generally carnivorous plants have very small and weak root systems compared to the actual size of the plants.
Perennials
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With a few exceptions, carnivorous plants are perennials and live for more than two years. Carnivorous plants are flowering plants.
Size of Carnivorous Plants
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The largest carnivorous plant can trap a small amphibian. Generally carnivorous plants grow anywhere from 12 inches to 3 feet tall. However, in their native habitat like the tropics, some can grow up to 6 feet tall.
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