Pitcher plant uses power of the rain to trap prey

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Machine translation, except where credited.

The Nepenthes gracilis pitcher plant, found in southeast Asia, has a unique, semi-slippery wax crystal surface on the underside of the pitcher lid. Researchers have found that ants could cling to this surface under normal conditions, but a rain drop falling on the lid is enough to dislodge the insects, catapulting them into the pitcher […]

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Nepenthes gracilis The Nepenthes gracilis pitcher plant, found in southeast Asia, has a unique, semi-slippery wax crystal surface on the underside of the pitcher lid. Researchers have found that ants could cling to this surface under normal conditions, but a rain drop falling on the lid is enough to dislodge the insects, catapulting them into the pitcher where they are digested. This behavior can be seen in videos accompanying the published article:

With a Flick of the Lid: A Novel Trapping Mechanism in Nepenthes gracilis Pitcher Plants. (2012) PLoS ONE 7(6): e38951. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0038951

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2 Comments

  • Bom
    14 years ago

    Very interesting. I learned something new about one of my plants today. Thanks !

  • www.tpknotweed.com
    14 years ago

    Hey i was just searching for the same and i got it i don’t believe it its so amazing and perfect. May i know what are the factors and from they get power.

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