Dionaea muscipula, commonly known as Venus Flytrap is one of the most common examples of a group of plants known as Insectivorous plants.
Insectivorous plants, also known as carnivorous plants, derive a part or all of their nutrients from consuming animals or protozoans. But, like every other plant, photosynthesis is the method for energy production for them as well.
The leaves of Venus Flytrap remain open in normal conditions. They have short, sensitive, firm hairs called sensitive/trigger hair. Anything that comes in contact with them triggers the hairs which then stimulates the two lobes of the leaves to snap shut. It takes less than a second for all this to occur.
The next step is to keep the trap shut. The inner surface of the leaves is lined with cilia to keep the organism inside. Soon, the leaves close tightly and form a vacuum-like seal. It keeps bacteria out.
If it is not so, bacteria and other microbes would grow on the insect and the leaves would turn black and eventually fall off.
The digestive juices inside the trap digest the insect in a similar way as in our stomach. But the hard exoskeleton of insects (generally made up of chitin) remains unaffected and is discarded from the trap once the digestion completes and the trap opens.
Apart from the digestive juice, it also secretes an antiseptic juice that protects the insect from decay.
The complete mechanism behind how the trap works are still under investigation. Some theorize that turgidity is behind it, while others have different opinions.
But it is fascinating that a plant acts like an animal! Mother nature is really the best creator.
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