Pitcher plant is an autotroph but still are dependent on insects. Why ?
Answers
A pitcher plant produces it food through photosynthesis which is mostly sugar.
Explanation:
They process this sugar into starch but that's not enough for this plant.
However, a pitcher plant has also needs for minerals and nitrogen as it grows in low nitrogen areas.
That's why they consume insects that are rich in nitrogen and minerals to fulfill their needs.
Without minerals and nitrogen, they cannot grow properly.
The pitcher plant is an autotroph but still is dependent on insects for acquiring nitrogen.
The pitcher plant is an autotroph which means that it is capable of producing its own food by the process of photosynthesis. The colour of the pitcher plant (green) also solidifies the presence of chlorophyll.
However, the pitcher plant is known to be dependent on insects or smaller animals. This is because:
- Pitcher plants are most naturally found in swamp areas where the swamp soil provides them with limited amounts of nutrients to grow.
- Swamp areas lack nitrogen hence pitcher plant is nitrogen deficient.
- The pitcher plant needs nitrogen for synthesising proteins in order to grow.
- Insects are a source of nitrogen. They become so after absorbing nitrogen from the plants they feed on.
- Hence, to acquire the nitrogen required for it to grow, the pitcher plant traps and digests insects.