Content
- The cup of carnivorous plants (carnivores)
- Leaves form into a goblet
- Catch insects with the chalice
- Proper care for the formation of many goblets
- Do not incubate pitcher plants cool
- Tips
The pitcher plant catches its prey in goblets
The cup of carnivorous plants (carnivores)
Meat-free plants develop very different methods of catching and digesting their prey, the insects. In addition to sticky leaves and trappers, some species form goblets into which the prey falls and is subsequently digested.
Leaves form into a goblet
Some carnivorous plants use their leaves to catch insects. The long catches turn together, forming a chalice. Other species catch the prey in bag-like traps that look like pitchers. Not for nothing are these species called pitcher plants.
Catch insects with the chalice
The goblet of a carnivorous plant is basically wider at the top and runs either pointed or forms below the edge of a bag or a jug. The goblets often have a pretty, reddish color. They emit a sometimes aromatic, but sometimes unpleasant odor that attracts insects.
The upper edge of the chalice is mirror-smooth, so that no insect can hold on it.It just slips into the trap.
In the lower part of the calyx is a secretion that contains several enzymes that can be used to decompose and digest the prey. If the secretion is absent, the plant can not digest prey. The catch then dries up and falls off.
Proper care for the formation of many goblets
In order to be able to form many chalices for catching insects on a carnivorous plant, the carnivores must have a suitable location and be well maintained.
Meat-eating plants prefer:
Meat-eating plants can not stand it when the plant substrate dries out. Also lime-containing water does not get to them, so that only rainwater or still mineral water may be used for the casting.
Do not incubate pitcher plants cool
Pitcher plants can be wintered at constant temperatures. During winter, only smaller goblets are formed than in summer.
Tips
How big the prey, which can catch a carnivorous plant in its cup, depends on the diameter of the cup. Wasps also fit into large openings.