Rare carnivorous plant discovered in Brazil

By Offeiriad, Staff News Writer
Carnivorous plant found recently in Brazil uses buried leaves to catch and devour worms in the soil.

A plant's leaves are usually known to be photosynthetic organs, absorbing whatever nutrients they need from the sun and atmosphere, so it came as a surprise to find a plant which gets its nutrients not only from the soil, but from an entirely different species. The leaves of the plant - which are more abundant below ground than above - act as a trap, waiting for an earthworm to pass close enough. Enzymes within the leaves help break down the flesh of the worms rapidly so that the plant can digest the nutrients.


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