The Carolina’s Carnivorous Plant
When you mention carnivorous plants to a person, there are two common thoughts that come to mind. One is of a part horror, part comedy rock musical and the other is of a humid, tropical landscape with dense greenery housing these bug eating plants. While breaking out into “Suddenly, Seymour” is never wrong, many will learn that the tropical landscape is not always where these carnivorous plants grow and thrive.
Believe it or not, the coastal plains of the Carolinas are the only location where venus fly trap grows naturally. (That’s right, Audrey II is a Southern Belle!) Venus fly traps are the most recognized carnivorous plant in the world and they are all within a 75 mile radius of Willmington, NC. Charles Darwin was quoted as saying it is “one of the most wonderful plants in the world.”
Inside their growing area is the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve in Horry, South Carolina. Located a stones throw from the hustle and bustle of Myrtle Beach, this nature wonderland is home to a plethora of fauna and flora, most notably the Venus flytrap and the highest number of black bears in the state. The Green Swamp Preserve in Brunswick County, North Carolina is another oasis that homes the Venus flytrap. Both of these locations prescribe frequent controlled burns to enhance and protect their fauna. The Venus flytrap is one of the plants that benefits from these burns. The persistent burning removes the dense shrubbery and low vegetation which allows light to penetrate to the floor of the forest. This allows the Venus flytrap to not only exist, but thrive. The largest threat to these carnivorous plants is the loss of their habitat. Foundations like the Coastal Conservation League are making sure that their habitat is protected.
Many people believe that the eyelash-like spikes on the outside are what need to be triggered to make the Venus flytrap close, but this is actually set off by small hairs on the inside of the trap. The Venus flytrap is an intelligent plant, and does not waste energy closing on a possibility of dinner. It has an internal clock that counts the number of touches the hairs receive in a specific amount of time. Every time its prey touches a hair, it sends an electric signal. Two signals within 20 seconds triggers the closing of the trap. Three or more signals and it begins to fill with the digestive enzyme that “eats” the prey and allows the plant to digest the nutrients. Digestion takes about 5-7 days and the trap will stay closed the entire time. Once the bug is fully digested, the Venus flytrap will once again open and await its next meal.
Venus flytraps can go a month or two without eating, but will be weak and slow growing. If you are growing them indoors, you should feed them weekly or biweekly. You do not have to worry about your plant needing constant food and wanting world domination.
