The 9 types of carnivorous plants (photos and characteristics)

They are called carnivores because they feed on insects and other small animals. Without a doubt they are different from the rest of the species that can be found among the flora of the whole world, for this reason they have become so popular and everyone wants to know more about them.

How do they feed themselves? Once the insects or any small amphibian get close to them, the carnivorous plants close up, curl up or move around to catch them and keep them out. There are basically 9 types of carnivorous plants, we show them here.

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The types of carnivorous plants that exist

Most of these plants they are very striking and even a little shocking. To catch their prey, they have sticky surfaces, small spines that resemble teeth and / or viscous and sugary liquids, attractive to insects.

In the last decades many people have chosen these plants to have them at home. And it is that the fact that they feed on insects and that they move, makes them very attractive. Although not all types of carnivorous plants can be kept in the home, some are easy to care for and can be indoors.

1. Sundew

The carnivorous sundew plant, also known as "sun dew", is part of one of the carnivorous plant families that has more subspecies, with 194 different known varieties. The way in which this plant traps its food is by secreting drops rich in sugars that attract insects.

This liquid is also very sticky, so once the little insects arrive to feed, they are trapped. The sundew plant reacts by closing and does not let them out, so they end up suffocating until they are finally digested.

2. Nepenthes

Nepenthes are plants found in tropical areas. They have a striking shape and color, since resemble small jugs. In some places they are called jug plants or monkey cups because the monkeys get to drink water from there, although for them it does not pose any risk.

These plants secrete a liquid that is what attracts mosquitoes. Due to its jar shape and slippery interior, it is difficult for insects to leave the plant once they enter, ending up dying inside the bag. Some of the Nepenthes plants get really big sizes, up to 15 meters.

3. Cephalotus follicularis

Carnivorous plants Cephalotus follicularisthey are small but deadly to their victims. They are native to Australia and as part of their natural structure, they have a small "cap", differentiated from the carnivorous plant itself.

This trap consists of a kind of jugs that store water, where the insects end up drowning. After this the plant, which is flexible, bends and ends up absorbing what has been trapped.

4. Sarracenia

Sarracenia is a type of carnivorous plant typical of North America. They are plants that look very pretty and have a very elongated tube shape. At the bottom of this tube, the sarracenia generates nectar.

The insects come looking for that nectar. Since this plant looks like a common flower, mosquitoes and other species enter the tube to drink the liquid. After this it is impossible for them to get out of there and the plant ends up digesting them.

5. Dionaea muscipula

The Dionaea muscipula It is also known as the Venus flytrap, one of the most famous carnivorous plants. It is one of the most famous carnivorous plants in the world since its shape is very peculiar and even a little scary.

Its leaves look like jaws surrounded by small, sharp teeth. When they perceive that something has settled inside them, they automatically close. Insects regularly reach their jaws, but also small amphibians, which rarely break free from the jaws of the Dionaea.

6. Drosophyllum

Drosophyllum is also known as a flytrap (In fact, its name means something like "Lover of flies"). It is a difficult plant to grow because it also requires very dry climates to grow. It has long, tall leaves, which are covered by mucilage.

Mucilage is a highly viscous and sticky substance. For this reason, the flytrap leaves are a death trap for insects, especially flies that land there. When an insect arrives, the leaves curl up and end up devouring it.

7. Pinguicula grandiflora

The Pinguicula grandiflora it is a carnivorous plant with a very showy flower. It is also known as water violet or flower of the fountains. It is found in temperate climates and its flower is large, pretty and with sticky petals.

This carnivorous plant, unlike most, does not have a differentiated trap in an obvious way. What happens in this plant is that the insects end up getting stuck on its petals. Unable to escape, the flower absorbs them and feeds on them.

8. Darlingtonia californica

The carnivorous plant Darlingtonia californica It is, due to its shape, one of the most exotic. It is also known as "cobra plant", because it actually resembles a snake raised and sticking its tongue out.

Without a doubt its appearance is very imposing and it is a trap for insects in itself. Due to its tubular and closed shape, insects enter, are trapped and are quickly digested.

9. Aldrovanda vesiculosa

This plant, the Aldrovanda vesiculosa, it is an aquatic carnivorous plant. It is also known as a water wheel and is found in peaceful water locations. Its appearance is not as flashy or scary as the others, except for a few small teeth around its leaves.

At the end of each page are its traps. When an insect arrives, they immediately shut down and trap their prey. They begin to digest them and there is no escape. Despite being small plants, they are still deadly to mosquitoes that come to perch on their traps.

Bibliographic references

• Darwin C (1875). Insectivorous plants. London: John Murray. ISBN 978-1-4102-0174-4.
• Albert, V.A.; Williams, S.E.; Chase, M.W. (1992). "Carnivorous plants: Phylogeny and structural evolution". Science. 257 (5076): 1491–1495.