'Double Whammy' Could Wipe Out Carnivorous Plants

Wait, what IS a carnivorous plant?

Sundews catch their prey with the help of a viscous, mucous-like substance. The sundew goo is so sticky that researchers have sought to use and mimic the glue in applications like wound dressings and tissue engineering. Photo: Lauren Leffer / Gizmodo

To be considered carnivorous, a plant has to meet a few criteria. According to Rice, it must have clear adaptations intended to trap prey. Traps can include things like ensnaring hairs, deep pits, or clamshell maws that snap shut.

Then, a plant has to also have some way of breaking down (i.e. digesting) that trapped prey. Finally, it needs a means of absorbing the nutrients released by the digestion process.

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