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Dionaea muscipula
Venus Flytrap
Not native to Florida
A rare carnivorous plant found in bogs and roadside seepage areas of Liberty and Franklin Counties. The native range of Venus flytrap is a small area of North and South Carolina, including the Green Swamp. The Florida population was introduced, either by seed in the 1930s and/or plantings in 1975 and has become naturalized in suitable habitats.
The specialized leaves of Dionaea muscipula have the blade hinged lengthwise along the midrib and bristles along the margins which form a trap for insects when folded closed. Insects landing on the leaf trap trigger a quick closing mechanism and the prey is held in place and digested by the plant.
The white flowers appear in the spring forming a cyme at the top of a solitary scape up to 3dm (12 in.) tall. The five white petals have prominent veins with the five green sepals positioned between the petals. A superior ovary is surrounded by thin filaments tipped with white anthers.
Dionaea muscipula is a member of the Droseraceae - Sundew family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Aug 07, 2016
