Insectivorous Plants
Classification of Insectivorous Plants Plants that obtain at least some of their nutrition by capturing and digesting prey are called insectivorous, or carnivorous, plants. Such plants have adaptations that allow them to attract, catch, and break down or digest prey once it is caught. Estimates of the number of species of carnivorous plants number from 450 to more than 600. Generally, these plants are classified into genera based upon the mechanism they have for trapping and capturing their prey. The major genera of these plants are listed below. Common name Scientific name Trapping mechanism bladderwort Utricularia vulgaris active trap; shows rapid motion during capture butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris semiactive trap; two-stage trap in which prey is initially caught in sticky fluid California pitcher plant Darlingtonia californica passive trap; attracts prey with nectar and then drowns prey in fluid contained within plant flypaper plant Byblis liniflora passiv