Re: Flytrap colour

Clarke Brunt (CLARKE@lsl.co.uk)
Tue, 27 Jul 1993 10:39:16 +0000

I know there is only one species of flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, but does
it come with forms that are more red than others. My 'shop bought' plant,
and seedlings raised from seed collected from it are not very red at all,
whereas seedlings raised from seed from Chiltern Seeds are very red.

I do find that they attract insects. I get the impression that the main
attractive area of the traps is the edge of the inner surface, just
inside the spikes at the edge. I've seen small flies 'tasting' this area
for long periods without going near the trigger hairs (maybe the plant
isn't interested in anything this small) but a fly the size of the trap
wouldn't be so lucky.