The Venus Fly Trap – A True Survivalist

The Venus Fly Trap, loved by children and botanist alike, was thought to be the fist carnivorous plant found. Inspiring movies such as Little Shop of Horrors and in all likelihood, countless other movies, books and short stories, it is a plant that simply fascinates. Learning more about this incredible plant is even more fascinating.

 How Venus Fly Trap Got Its Name

The Governor of North Carolina, Arthur Dobbs is the first known observer of the Venus Fly Trap and he detailed it in a letter to a MR. J. Ellis. Venus Fly Trap’s scientific name is Dionaea muscipula and was named by Mr. J. Ellis for its distinct beauty. Dionea comes from Greek mythology as Dione was the mother of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love whereas the Romans called the Goddess of Love, Venus.

Venus Fly Trap’s Habitat

It prefers sandy soil for its roots, lots of sunshine and is found naturally only in South Carolina and North Carolina. The sandy soil it prefers do not supply enough nutrients for most plants which is why the Venus fly Trap catches its own food. Venus Fly Traps prefer bogs and marshes which are increasingly used for garbage dumps putting the plant in a dangerous situation.

Venus Fly Trap Eating Info

Catching its own food makes the Venus Fly Trap thrive in conditions which make its non-carnivorous neighbors grow more slowly. The Venus Fly Trap can survive only eating once every 1 to 2 months so feeding it in captivity more than once a week can be harmful. Once the Venus Fly Trap has captured prey, it will stay closed for 1 to 2 weeks before opening again. Venus Fly Traps prefer healthy meals and will not thrive for long on fat-based feeding of meats such as hamburger.

Venus Fly Trap and Fire

The Venus Fly Trap can not only survive but thrive following a fire in the area because of its root system which not only grows 4 inches deep but has horizontal rhizomes which send up new shoots. Because the fire releases nutrients in a more attainable form while at the same time burning away competing plant life, the Venus Fly Trap has more of an opportunity to thrive.

The Trap

The Venus Fly Trap has a petiole or stem that supports the blade or wide portion of the leaf which is divided into 2 lobes bisected by a midrib. Each blade has 15 to 20 spines along its edge which when closed resembled the fingers of two clasped hands. Each blade also has 3 trigger hairs arranged in a triangular pattern with the bases at the marginal spine edge. The hairs triggers sense the slightest movement and send a signal to the trap when its time to close on the prey. The trap uses a “2 touch” system to know when prey is large enough to bother with meaning one hair trigger must be moved twice or 2 separate triggers must be moved. The “2 touches” must occur within 20 seconds of each other so that the trap does not waste energy closing on something like a raindrop or twigs.

Seasonal Variations

Springtime traps are wide and green, their petioles have wings and the red coloring on the inside is sometimes missing or only on one side of the trap. Summertime traps are narrow, have wingless petioles and the red interior deepens as summer wears on to attract their prey. Venus Fly Traps in the fall continue to grow and maintain the same coloration as their summertime brethren. Winter traps are smaller in length but average in width and are prone to frost bite while lying in a prostrate position.