Catopsis

Carlo A. Balistrieri (cabalist@facstaff.wisc.edu)
Wed, 17 Jul 1996 08:18:13 -0500

Eric,
To my knowledge (and I grow several) Catopsis are not carnivorous. They are
epiphytic and closely related to Tillandsias. Like many bromeliads they will
hold a small amount of water. I have seen insects drown in the water but do
not believe that the plant is "carnivorous."

This brings up an interesting question. Since many of the broms maintain
these pockets of water (passive pitfall traps?) and, since insects will
drown in them and the plants realize some nutritional benefit (just like
when detritus accumulates) are all bromeliads carnivorous?

My amatuer's answer is no. If the opposite were true then virtually any
plant capable of absorbing nutrients through its leaves (anyone know one
that can't) would fall into the same class.

Most defintions require that the animal nutrients used by the plants be
absorbed by digestive enzymes secreted by the plant. Only then will it be
considered carnivorous.

This leaves my treasured Heliamphora in an awkward position since (correct
me if I'm wrong here) no digestive enzymes have yet been identified in the
genus. That's all right, I'm going to grow them anyway!

Interesting question Eric--thanks!

Carlo

Carlo A. Balistrieri, J.D. Email: CABalist@facstaff.wisc.edu
P.O. Box 327
Ashippun, WI 53003-0327
U.S.A.
Voice: 414.474.7771
Telefax: 414.474.7772