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Native Plant Database

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Dionaea muscipula (Venus flytrap)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Dionaea muscipula Ellis

Venus flytrap

Droseraceae (Sundew Family)

USDA Symbol: DIMU4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A carnivorous plant with a cluster of white flowers atop a leafless stalk rising above a rosette of bristly, folded, basal leaves. Venus fly-traps are native only to an area within about 75-miles of Wilmington, N.C., but they have been introduced to Florida, New Jersey and other locations.

When insects or spiders disturb any two of the six tactile bristles on the upper surface of the folded leaves of this fascinating plant, the hinged halves of the leaf snap shut, trapping the prey. A chemical secreted by the prey stimulates the flow of the plants digestive enzymes (this does not take place if the plant is stimulated by an inert object such as a pencil tip). Following digestion of the prey, the nutrients are absorbed and the leaf is reset.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Time: May , Jun

Distribution

USA: DE , FL , NC , NJ , SC
Native Distribution: Coastal plain of North and South Carolina; also reported from New Jersey and Florida.
Native Habitat: Moist sandy areas and pinelands.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Mr. Smarty Plants says

Whether Venus flytrap (dionaea muscipula) is endangered
April 04, 2006
I am a 4th grader at Whitestone Elementary School in Leander, Texas. I am in the Quest program and I am doing a project on the venus flytrap and would like to ask you some questions. 1. Is there an ...
view the full question and answer

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1996 VOL. 13, NO.2 - Annual Wildflower Days Festival, Wildflower Center Hotline, The Visitor Experien...

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Dionaea muscipula in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dionaea muscipula in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dionaea muscipula

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-11-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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