Tropical Pitcher Plants are commonly seen by me in Phuket because the next door neighbour propagates them and is very good at it.
If you have patience it is amazing to watch the insects fly to the plant because of the sweet smelling liquid and the decorated leaves which adorn the plant.
Once on the rim of the pitcher the 'prey' falls down the sides to the bottom of the pitcher. Once here the 'prey' cannot climb out because the sides are covered with downward pointing hairs which ensure that the 'prey' is unable to climb out.
This liquid is called phytotelmata - the body of the floating insect is slowly dissolved then able to 'digest' the fallen prey whilst it slowly 'drowns'.
A truly carnivorous plant.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for choosing to write a message and reading all my text.