Active Vs. Passive Traps in Carnivorous Plants

Active Traps

• Active trapping plants trap its prey by closing its leaves or curling its leaves around it. Once the insect lands on the leaf, tiny hairs feel the insect and trigger the leaves to curl or close. One such plant is the Venus flytrap. These plants have two leaves that open up and appear to resemble an open clam with tiny hairs around the edges. When the insect lands on the inside of the leaf, the two leaves close trapping the insect inside.

Pitfall Traps

• Passive traps don't move. Prey fall into the traps. Pitcher plants are passive trapping plants also called pitfall traps. Pitcher plants have a pouch filled with water and digesting enzymes. On the inside walls of the pouch are tiny hairs pointing in a downwards direction. When the insect falls into the trap, it can't get out because the tiny hairs pointing downwards won't move to allow the insect to escape.

Sticky Traps

• Sticky trapping carnivorous plants are passive trapping plants because the plants don't have moving mechanisms that trap the insects. Instead, the insects are attracted to the plant leaves by a sweet smell. When the insect lands on the plant, it can't move. One such plant that is a sticky trapping plant is the sundew. Sundews have sticky drops resembling dew on the tips of the upright hairs on the leaves. Insects land on the dew drops and are stuck and digested.

Fertilizing

• The Venus flytrap, which is an active trapping doesn't need fertilizer. Fertilizer can actually do more harm to the plant. Pitcher plants (Sarracenia), which are passive trapping plants have the ability to absorb nutrients through the roots and will tolerate an application of fertilizer without harming the plant in young plants. If the pitcher plants are young, fertilizer will make a difference in the plants growth rate, according to the International Carnivorous Plant Society. The plant could mature in three years with the right nutrients, temperatures and light.