Insectivorous Plants of India: Drosera, Pitcher Plant, Utricularia - PMF IAS

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• These plants are usually associated with rain-washed, nutrient-poor soils, or wet and acidic areas that are ill-drained.

• Such wetlands are acidic due to anaerobic conditions, which cause partial decomposition of organic matter releasing acidic compounds into the surroundings.

• most microorganisms necessary for complete decomposition of organic matter cannot survive in such poorly oxygenated conditions.

• The hunter plants are successful in such places because they supplement their photosynthetic food production by trapping insects and digesting their nitrogen rich bodies.

• Aldrovanda is a free-floating, rootless aquatic plant, the only species found in India, occurs in the salt marshes of Sunderbans, south of Calcutta. It also grows in fresh water bodies like ponds, tanks and lakes.

• the Drosera are commonly known as sundews.

• high rainfall hills and plateaus of north-eastern region, at altitudes ranging from 100-1500 m, particularly in Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya.

• pitfall type of trap.

• A honey like substance is secreted from glands at the entrance of the pitcher. Once the insect enters into the pitcher, it falls down because of the slipperiness.

• The Bladderworts generally inhabit freshwater wetlands and waterlogged areas.

• moist moss covered rock surfaces, and damp soils during rains.

• Drosera are capable of curdling milk, its bruised leaves are applied on blisters and used for dyeing silk.

• local medicine to treat cholera patients, the liquid inside the pitcher is useful for urinary troubles, it is also used as eye drops.

• Utricularia is useful against cough, for dressing of wounds, as a remedy for urinary disease.