Cape sundew engulfing an insect. Timelapse footage of a Cape sundew (Drosera capensis) engulfing an insect. The sundew is a carnivorous plant. It attracts insects with drops of sweet-smelling fluid on the glandular 'tentacles' on its leaves. When the insect lands on the leaves, it becomes stuck to the highly-adhesive tentacles. Surrounding tentacles then move to further ensnare the insect, and the entire leaf curls round to trap it, a process called thigmonasty. Glands on the leaf then release digestive enzymes, which liquefy the insect's internal organs, allowing them to be digested by the plant. The sundew grows in acid soils where there is a shortage of nitrogen and other nutrients. Extracting these from insect prey allows the plant to thrive in regions inhospitable to other plants. | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Chee, Francis |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Länge: | 19 Sekunden |
Seitenverhältnis: | 16:9 |
Restrictions: | - |