Carnivorous Plants

People always think of plants as gentle, docile living things. However, there are also plants that feed on animals. Carnivorious plants seem harmless enough that some unsuspecting insects land on them, and without any warning, they are devoured. Here is information about some of these species of plants.

• Aldrovanda vesiculosa: Originating from Australia, it’s called the waterwheel plant and it’s the only remaining specimen of the aldrovanda species that remains today.

• Archaeamphora longicervia: An extinct form of carnivorous plant that once resided in China.

• Brocchinia reducta: One of the rare carnivorous bromeliads, this plant is native to Guyana and Venezuela.

• Byblis aquatica: Called a rainbow plant, this plant is found in North Australia and grows in semi-aquatic conditions.

• Byblis filifolia: Another species of plant similar to the Byblis aquatica, this plant is also endemic to Australia

• Catopsis berteroniana: This plant generally grows on tree twigs and is native to the southern regions of Brazil and Florida. A common plant which could eaily be found residing around sheds and summer houses.

• Cephalotus follicularis: This small plant actually has many names: Albany Pitcher Plant, moccasin plant, and Western Australian Pitcher Plant.

• Darlingtonia californica: Also called the California pitcher plant, Cobra Lily or Cobra plant, it is native to Northern California and Oregon.

• Dionaea muscipula: The most famous carnivorous plant, this one is known as the Venus Flytrap. It digests mostly bugs.

• Drosera adelae: Also called the Adelaide sundew, this plant is native to North Queensland and grows in boggy sites.

• Drosera affinis: A very small carnivorous plant, it’s very bright red in color.

• Drosera aliciae: Also called the Alice sundew, this plant is native to South Africa. It’s one of the most common types of sundews.

• Drosera andersoniana: Known simply as the sturdy sundew, this Western Australian plant has pink-white and red flowers.

• Drosera anglica: Also called the English sundew, this plant is found in Japan, Europe, and Hawaii.

• Drosera arcturi: This plant survives in bogs but considered a “summer grower” because it goes into a form of hibernation during winter.

• Drosophyllum: Also known as the Portuguese slobbering pine, it has tentacles that don’t move.

• Genlisea aurea: One of the largest of its species, it is endemic to Brazil.

• Genlisea margaretae: Native to Zambia, Tanzania, and Madagascar, this plant has root-like organs that are almost 20 cm long!

• Heliamphora chimantensis: Named after the location it was first discovered, Chimanta Tepui, this plant is native to Venezuela.

• Heliamphora folliculata: This plant has a very unique shape and a very unique pitcher-appendage where it’s fused in the back. It commonly grows in Aparaman Tepui.

• Heliamphora heterodoxa: This pitcher plant is native to Gran Sabana and certain plateaus in the Ptari-Tepui area of Venezuela.

• Heliamphora ionasii: Another species native to Venezuela, specifically Illu Tepui, this is one of the largest of the species growing over 50 cm in height.

• Heliamphora minor: One of the smallest pitcher plants at less than 10 cm tall, this plant is native to Venezuela as well.

• Ibicella lutea: Also called the “Devil’s Claw,” it is native to the very dry desert conditions of South America.

• Nepenthes adnata: This is a tropical pitcher plant that is often found in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

• Nepenthes alata: Native to the Philippines, this pitcher plant is popular because it’s very easy to cultivate.

• Pinguicula acuminata: This plant is native to Hidalgo, Mexico and it was actually “lost” for 150 years before it was rediscovered.

• Pinguicula alpina: Also known as the alpine butterwort, this plant prefers high altitudes and can be found throughout Eurasia.

• Pinguicula conzattii: This plant is native to Oaxaca, Mexico. It is considered notable because it is pubescent on both sides of its winter leaves.

• Pinguicula gypsicola: Native to San Luis Potosi, Mexico, this plant grows in gypsum soils.