Carnivorous Plants

There are over 700 known species of Carnivorous plants in the world today. They come from nutrient deprived areas like bogs, fens, marshes, swamps, and mountainous areas that receive heavy annual rainfall. Carnivorous plants can be found on every continent but Antarctica. All of these plants have evolved to be able to attract prey, catch their prey, and digest it. Most carnivorous plants come from tropical regions, but there are several genus that only live in temperate climates. The Venus Flytrap  (Dionaea) and North American Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia) are two examples of temperate carnivorous plants. These plants actually require a period of cool temperatures and will slow down, or go dormant, for several months of the year. It’s common for a plant to lose several leaves or “die back’ during this time. Don’t worry! Continue maintaining the appropriate growing conditions, and new growth will emerge in the spring with the warmer temperatures and increased light level.