Venus' fly-trap

General view of plant

External glands of carnivorous plants vary in their structure and secretion products. Some secrete alluring slime (polysaccharides), some nectar (from nectaries), and some produce digestive fluids.

In the Venus' fly-trap, Dionaea muscipula, digestive glands are formed on the outer surface of the leaf blades which are typically bright-colored to attract insects. As soon as the insect touches the leaf, it immediately closes tightly along the mid-vein and starts to produce digestive fluids which fill the interior of the trap. When the digestion is complete, the leaves open revealing the indigestible exoskeleton of the insect.

This plant is native to wetlands of the Carolinas, but has been commercially distributed throughout a good part of North America.