MEAT EATING PLANTS

As I mentioned in the previous post, the ombrotrophic nature of bogs means that they provide an acidic, nutrient poor environment for plant life. Some plants have made some extraordinary adaptations to survive in this type of environment. Among these, are the the carnivorous plants.

Carnivorous? Indeed they are. These plants complement their diets with insects that they capture from their environment. you've probably heard of the famous Venus Fly Trap that closes its  on flies that land on its trigger hairs. Venus fly traps aren't found in New England. But other carnivorous plants, like pitcher plants I found, are.

Pitcher plants are aptly named. Unlike most plants, they don't have a typical stem or leaves. In its place, is a pitcher-like tube with an opening, the peristome. Rainwater falls into and fills part of the pitcher, creating a little pond at the bottom of the tube.

Insects attracted to the plant walk into the opening, and begin crawling down towards the tempting (and perhaps fragrant?) water below. At this point, many of them are doomed.

The inside of the pitcher's tube is lined with hairs. These hairs point in one direction - downward. The insect who tries to walk out of the pitcher is encounters a maze of rigid column-like hairs. Turning the other way, the insect finds the hairs pointed in the "right" direction. At least from the plants perspective.

At the bottom of the pitcher, the insect meets its final fate. It falls into the pool of water and digestive juices. The pitcher plant digests its food, supplementing the meager nutrition available from the sphagnum/peat environment.

Its victim's remains sink downward and remain in their watery tomb until they are joined by the plant's next victim.