Question

5 different types of insectivorous plant and explain how they trap the insect

Answer 1

These plants are specialized in trapping insects and are popularly known as insectivorous plants.They are very different from normal plants in their mode of nutrition. They, however, never prey upon humans or large animals.Insectivorous plants can broadly be divided into active and passive types based on their method of trapping their prey.The active ones can close their leaf traps the moment insects land on them.The passive plants have a ‘pitfall’ mechanism, having some kind of jar or pitcher-like structure into which the insect slips and falls, to eventually be digested.The insectivorous plants often have several attractions such as brilliant colors, sweet secretions and other curios to lure their innocent victims.Insectivorous plants of India belong mainly to three families:Droseraceae (3 species),Nepenthaceae (1 species) andLentibulariaceae (36 species).

Drosera and Aldrovanda

Drosera and Aldrovanda belong to family Droseraceae.Drosera or Sundew inhabit wet infertile soils or marshy places.Aldrovanda is a free-floating, rootless aquatic plant, the only species found in India, occurs in the salt marshes of Sunderbans, south of Calcutta. It also grows in fresh water bodies like ponds, tanks and lakes.Pitcher plants belong to family nepenthaceae. The members of the family are commonly known as ‘pitcher plants’ because their leaves bear jar-like structures.Distribution: Confined to the high rainfall hills and plateaus of north-eastern region, at altitudes ranging from 100 —1500 m, particularly in Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya.Utricularia ( bladderwort) and Pinguicula belong to family Lentibulariaceae.The Bladderworts generally inhabit freshwater wetlands and waterlogged areas. Some species are associated with moist moss covered rock surfaces, and damp soils during rains.Insect trapping: Utricularia in its bladders mouth, has sensitive bristles or hairs. When an insect happens to contact these hairs the door opens, carrying the insect into the bladder along with a little current of water. The door is shut when water fills the bladder, The enzymes produced by the inner wall of the bladder digest the insect.Medicinal Properties of Insectivorous PlantsDrosera are capable of curdling milk, its bruised leaves are applied on blisters and used for dyeing silk.Nepenthes in local medicine to treat cholera patients, the liquid inside the pitcher is useful for urinary troubles, it is also used as eye drops.Utricularia is useful against cough, for dressing of wounds, as a remedy for urinary disease.