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Plant of the week

By Virginia Williams and Ellen Nibali, Maryland Cooperative Extension Service|December 06, 2008

Venus fly trap:

Dionaea muscipula

What child wouldn't like his own Little Shop of Horrors plant? The carnivorous Venus fly trap has short, stiff hairs inside its leaves that detect the presence of insects. When these trigger hairs are touched, the paired leaves close, trapping the insect. Then leaves secrete enzymes that digest it. A native of the Carolinas, the Venus fly trap requires wet roots, high humidity, full sunlight and poor, acidic soil. A glass container, such as a terrarium, will maintain high humidity. Use distilled water or rain water on this temperamental plant.


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