How Do Venus Fly Traps Excrete Wastes?

A patch of venus fly traps.

Venus fly traps are among the most popular of the insectivorous plants. These tropical plants, scientifically named dionaea muscipula, have two large leaf blades that sense the presence of insects and, as soon as the insect lands, snap shut to trap it.

First Stage of Digestion

Once the insect is trapped within the mouth-looking leaf blades, they begin to secrete digestive fluids.

Second Stage of Digestion

The nutrients from the insect are consumed into the plant using the digestive fluids, leaving only the waste, those parts of the insect that cannot be digested sitting on the leaves.

Excretion of Waste

When digestion is finished, the fly trap opens again, and the indigestible insect parts simply fall off the plant.

References

• University of Montana: Venus Fly Trap Facts