VILLAINS OF THE PLANT WORLD

Shannon News, 24 September 1926, Page 4

VILLAINS OF THE PLANT WORLD

—. —— + — Plants that murder, steal, walk, eat insects, go fishing, appreciate beefsteak, sleep, shudder at the human touch, set traps for victims, perspire, digest food, enjoy longevity, feel, taste repel, enemies! They con be found in most botanical gardens, emigrants from all parts of the world. The most- remarkable and the most interesting of all the strange plants which grow are those with the criminal instincts (says the “Johannesburg Star"). The Venus fly trap,, known under its Latin name as Dionaea- muscipuia. Is a strangely interesting plant. Here is the way Dr. Stuart Gager de- j scribes' it. “This plant is closely re- j lated to the more common sundew (Dvosera), and both aro insectivorous plants. The leaves form a rosette. Each leaf has a broad stein and a 1 bilobed blade, -with a number or rigid teeth along the margin. The midrib forms a hinge so that the halves of the blade are able to open and shut. The blades are covered with glands, J reddish ill th natural state, but green when grown in tho shade. Each leaf of the blade has three very sensitive . hairs. When one of more of these hairs on either side of the blade is touched by an insect of other object a stimulus is transmitted to the midrib. the blades 'fold quickly together, : and the teeth interlock as when one folds his hands. By this method in-j sects are constantly entrapped. The surface glands then secrete a fluid with proper ties similar to those of the gastric and pancreatic juices of, the digestive systems of mammals, I and the digestive protein material is j then absorbed by the leaf, serving as animal diet for the plant. In a similar way the Venus fltrap will digest and absorb small bits of lean meat, though the animal diet is not necessary for the. plant.” Another killer is the sundew, a dainty creature of the swamps. Its leaves grow in rosettes, and are covered with red tentacles. At the tip of each is tho bait, like the cheese to the rat trap or the worm to the fisherman’s hook. The sundew’s bait is a. tiny drop of honey-like substanccwhich sparkles') like dew. From the centre of the small rosettes, slender stalks shoot, upward, and pink or vio- ! let lined flowers, fragile and charm-, ing, grow at the ends. This seduc-tive-looking plant, inviting passers-by ; to sip its sweet nectar, is certain to , accomplish its dark purpose. An ant f or fly goes after that glistening j. honey-dew, and its legs are soon held j fast in the sticky drop. It struggles valiantly, but the fight for escape is hopeless. The insect is held there im- ' prisoned until it dies of exhaustion, and its juices are sucked by the leaf. Then the cruel hairs look extremely innocent again, waiting for the next prey. It will also eat bits of beef and boiled egg. The pitcher plant, known to botanists by its scientific name — Sarvacenix purpurea lives iri low wet places, bogs, and swamps. The blossoms are sometimes dull red, at other times a delicate pink or light green, and have a faint fragrance. The leaves are shaped like! pitchers, and these contain a fluid. The top of the pitcher is like a lid. The inner walls are covered with hairs pointing downwards, and the sweet fluid on these

invites fly or bee- to the terrible death chambfer.. Tho fly, attracted by the colour, fragrance, and sweet nectar of this enticing .plant, pushes open the door of the pitcher and enters. But when the insect is ready to depart it finds that the hairs which dropped to let it in ahe now in such a position as to prevent escape. Besides, thelid has shut down tight. Tho fly soon grows exhausted with tho struggle and tumbles back into tile sweet liquid which has lured it, and -which now serves as an embalming fluid.