Classification  

Carnivorous plants are classified by the methods they use to trap their prey. The traps can be classified in two ways: activity and trapping method.

Trap Activity

 Certain plants display very rapid movement when trapping their prey. These traps are called active traps. Plants such as the Dionaea and the Aldrovanda use active traps. Then there are traps that display very little movement, that are sometimes invisible to the human eye. These traps are called semi-active traps. The Drosera uses semi active traps to capture it's prey. Then there are passive traps, they take no action whatsoever during the initial capture. These traps have to rely on there attractiveness to draw insects towards them.

Nepenthes Ventricosa

Trapping Methods

There are four basic trapping methods. Pitfall traps consist of tube or cone shaped traps, sticky nectar coats the walls, this attracts insects, at the bottom of the "pit" there is a pool of digestive enzymes that digests insects and small birds, mice and frogs. Suction traps consist of small bladders, bordered by trigger hairs, these plants are generally aquatic. When an insect touches a hair, the trap dilates, sucking in water, and the insect. Flypaper traps consist of dewy leaves, insects are attracted to this substance and become stuck in the leaves, which secrete digestive enzymes and decompose the insect. Jaw traps are shaped like jaws (evidently!), there trigger hairs on the inside of the traps, when activated, the trap will close up on the insects.

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Dionaea Muscipula

all the images on this page are from the Galleria Carnivora (www.sarracenia.com/galleria/)