Special Adaptation

Since Venus flytraps live in nutrient poor soil, they have adapted to capture and digest insects to supplement their nutrient need.

One of the adaptations that make Venus flytrap a Venus fly trap is its trapping mechanism. The two leaf parts of a trap are laced together by a small stalk called petiole and there is a series of tiny, sensitive hairs. If an unwary insect walks across these hairs, touching two or more of them in succession, the leaf will close quickly, trapping the insect. It is then slowly digested and absorbed by the leaf. Glands on the leaf surface secrete several digestive enzymes that help to digest the insect. The leaf then re-opens for another victim after one is digested.

This is an anatomical adaptation that affects the leaves of the plant. This is because, the leaves carry out photosynthesis like any other plant, but they also have many sensitive trigger hairs that allow the leaves to close and hair-like teeth at the edge of the leaves to prevent the prey from escaping. It is also a behavioural trait because, the just functions this way. It is also a physiological and chemical adaptation because the tiny, sensitive hairs inside leaves cause the leaves to close, if triggered. There is nectar and a smell that attracts the insects, and there are also glands on the leaf surface that secrete digestive enzymes to help decompose and digest the insect. This adaptation provides the plant with the essential nutrients that it cannot get from the nutrient-poor soil.