Carnivorous, Deadly, Unusual Plants, etc.

Yhtac · September 12th, 2006, 09:10 PM

For those who don't know, carnivorous plants attract, capture, and digest insects for food. Most grow in areas such as swamps, sphagnum bogs, etc. Some trap insects in fluid filled pitchers. Others have sticky leaves which adhere to and goop up their victims. The infamous venus fly trap folds around it's prey and some even use suction to pull tiny animals into bladders. Very cool stuff.

Of all my plants, my prized possesion was a pitcher plant (Nepenthes,) that I held on to for about 2 years. She got huge - I'd say maybe 4ft. by 5ft. with about 150 or so pitchers (itty bitty babies included.) Sadly, she withered away and died.

Below are pics of her species followed by other carnivorous plants.

Nepenthes (pitcher plant)
To care for these, each pitcher must constantly hold about 1/3 of water at all times (this involves checking each pitcher and filling with water on a daily basis.) It then turns to a sweet fluid that attracts insects. They're lured inside and drown in the water, dissolving over time as the plant uses the insects for nutrients.

Yhtac · September 12th, 2006, 09:36 PM

Another form of the pitcher plant. Most striking in appearance, but grows out of the ground so you need to have the right growing conditions. Can grow up to several feet tall.

Yhtac · September 13th, 2006, 01:22 PM

'California Pitcher Plant' - Can grow up to 4' tall. It's obvious how it got its name. The hood protects the tube from filling up with too much rainwater.

Yhtac · September 13th, 2006, 01:32 PM

Covered with sticky tentacles, insects get trapped in the glue as enzymes dissolve it away completely for food.

Yhtac · September 13th, 2006, 03:49 PM

Not carnivorous, but I had to post it.

Absolutely stunning. The largest flower in the world is a variety of voodoo lily (titan arum,) and that's what these pics are. They get as tall as 12ft. Prehistoric, if you will. Another trait that makes these way cool is in full bloom, it releases the stench of rotting meat / flesh that attracts flies. The smell lasts no more than 24 hours though. Full bloom - no more than 3 hours.

machine · September 13th, 2006, 03:53 PM

Gotta a Venus Fly-Trap in me window. They're native round these parts.

Tiger · September 13th, 2006, 04:19 PM

A friend of mine, her mom grows cobra lillies which are a type of pitcher plant.

Peterpigman · September 13th, 2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yhtac

Not carnivorous, but I had to post it.

Absolutely stunning. The largest flower in the world is a variety of voodoo lily (titan arum,) and that's what these pics are. They get as tall as 12ft. Prehistoric, if you will. Another trait that makes these way cool is in full bloom, it releases the stench of rotting meat / flesh that attracts flies. The smell lasts no more than 24 hours though. Full bloom - no more than 3 hours.

Attachment 10537 Attachment 10538 Attachment 10539

Apparently they smell real real bad.

G.B.H · September 13th, 2006, 04:30 PM

http://forum.uncoverreality.com/atta...g?d=1158165133
That one is beautifull

GrimGrin · September 13th, 2006, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipedream

Gotta a Venus Fly-Trap in me window. They're native round these parts.

I've had those... very cool.
The nature reserve down the road has sundews if you know where to look. Would like to have a couple, but I think they're better off in their natural home where I can see them but can't inadvertently kill them...

azziman · September 13th, 2006, 04:40 PM

Fascinating, some of those palnts look like they belong on another planet, my girlfriend has a venus fly trap which i care for, it is growing nicely and does catch the odd fly from time to time.

tirebiter · September 13th, 2006, 05:03 PM

I'm a killer of venus fly traps! Aint none of the fuckers can make it past a month living with me

Snoogins · September 13th, 2006, 08:18 PM

Cool pictures Yhtac.

Was once walking in the New Forest and stumbled along a veritable carpet of sundews. Fascinating things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirebiter

I'm a killer of venus fly traps! Aint none of the fuckers can make it past a month living with me

Same here.

Yhtac · September 13th, 2006, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger Stripe

A friend of mine, her mom grows cobra lillies which are a type of pitcher plant.

Take pictures! Seriously. I think they're amazing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirebiter

I'm a killer of venus fly traps! Aint none of the fuckers can make it past a month living with me

Sphagnum moss, very moist - not wet - soil and either filtered light or complete shade. Don't know if they're sold like this where you are, but a clear, plastic cup over them will act as filtered light if you don't have another place to put them. Cut out the bottom out of the cup so insects can still get inside. No fertilizer - it will kill them. And immediately pinch off the dead / dying traps at the root as soon as you see a hint of brown.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snoogins

Cool pictures Yhtac.

Was once walking in the New Forest and stumbled along a veritable carpet of sundews. Fascinating things...

How big were they? I've only seen itty bitty ones in person. :/

Also, if by chance anyone on here is into rare / unique plants (night gardening, carnivorous, tropicals, etc.) please pm me! I'm sick of going on other boards and dealing with boring botanists and 60 year old widows.

Haven't been into this hardcore for a few years but would love to start again. k thx

whiskeyskip · September 14th, 2006, 01:01 AM

Beautiful pics Yhtac. I had 2 Venus Flytraps, but over watered them and they died.

September 12th, 2006, 09:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
Yhtac Available Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,001	Carnivorous, Deadly, Unusual Plants, etc. For those who don't know, carnivorous plants attract, capture, and digest insects for food. Most grow in areas such as swamps, sphagnum bogs, etc. Some trap insects in fluid filled pitchers. Others have sticky leaves which adhere to and goop up their victims. The infamous venus fly trap folds around it's prey and some even use suction to pull tiny animals into bladders. Very cool stuff. Of all my plants, my prized possesion was a pitcher plant (Nepenthes,) that I held on to for about 2 years. She got huge - I'd say maybe 4ft. by 5ft. with about 150 or so pitchers (itty bitty babies included.) Sadly, she withered away and died. Below are pics of her species followed by other carnivorous plants. Nepenthes (pitcher plant) To care for these, each pitcher must constantly hold about 1/3 of water at all times (this involves checking each pitcher and filling with water on a daily basis.) It then turns to a sweet fluid that attracts insects. They're lured inside and drown in the water, dissolving over time as the plant uses the insects for nutrients.

September 12th, 2006, 09:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Yhtac Available Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,001	Sarracenia Another form of the pitcher plant. Most striking in appearance, but grows out of the ground so you need to have the right growing conditions. Can grow up to several feet tall.

September 13th, 2006, 01:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Yhtac Available Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,001	Cobra Lily 'California Pitcher Plant' - Can grow up to 4' tall. It's obvious how it got its name. The hood protects the tube from filling up with too much rainwater.

September 13th, 2006, 01:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Yhtac Available Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,001	Sundews Covered with sticky tentacles, insects get trapped in the glue as enzymes dissolve it away completely for food.

September 13th, 2006, 03:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Yhtac Available Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,001	Voodoo Lily Not carnivorous, but I had to post it. Absolutely stunning. The largest flower in the world is a variety of voodoo lily (titan arum,) and that's what these pics are. They get as tall as 12ft. Prehistoric, if you will. Another trait that makes these way cool is in full bloom, it releases the stench of rotting meat / flesh that attracts flies. The smell lasts no more than 24 hours though. Full bloom - no more than 3 hours.

September 13th, 2006, 03:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
machine (♫ ) Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,600	Gotta a Venus Fly-Trap in me window. They're native round these parts. __________________ ๏̯͡๏﴿๏̯͡๏﴿๏̯͡๏﴿๏̯͡๏﴿๏̯͡๏﴿๏̯͡๏﴿๏̯͡๏﴿

September 13th, 2006, 04:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tiger Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,911	A friend of mine, her mom grows cobra lillies which are a type of pitcher plant. __________________

September 13th, 2006, 04:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
G.B.H Just swallow will ya? Join Date: May 2006 Location: In the loo trying to give a shit. Posts: 7,131	http://forum.uncoverreality.com/atta...g?d=1158165133 That one is beautifull __________________ нσмσ нσмιиιѕ ℓυρυѕ

September 13th, 2006, 04:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
azziman Hello Dave Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,535	Fascinating, some of those palnts look like they belong on another planet, my girlfriend has a venus fly trap which i care for, it is growing nicely and does catch the odd fly from time to time.

September 13th, 2006, 05:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
tirebiter no Join Date: May 2006 Location: Whalley MotherFucker Posts: 3,046	I'm a killer of venus fly traps! Aint none of the fuckers can make it past a month living with me __________________ Fuck you.

September 14th, 2006, 01:01 AM	#15 (permalink)
whiskeyskip I ADORE DIOR Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Swimming in Champagne Posts: 2,067	Beautiful pics Yhtac. I had 2 Venus Flytraps, but over watered them and they died. __________________ Be careful how you touch her, for she'll awaken, and sleep's the only freedom that she knows...

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