Insectivorous Plants in the Wilderness

Venus Flytrap     Dionaea                                                              Photo Index                   HOME

Dionaea muscipula                                                                                                                                    © 2005 Makoto Honda. All Rights Reserved

Each inner lobe of the trap normally has three fine bristles located in a triangular pattern.  These are trigger hairs sensitive to physical stimulation.  When one or more of these hairs are properly stimulated, a rapid trap closure is initiated.

Near the base of each bristle is where the sensitive cells are found which are responsible for generating an electric pulse when the bristle is physically bent by a potential prey.
 

HOME             Photo Index