Insectivorous plants

Pronunciation
/in-sek-TIV-or-us plants/
Category
Ecology
Singular
Insectivorous plant
Plural
Insectivorous plants

Definition

Plants that obtain nutrients by trapping and consuming insects.

Etymology

From Latin 'insecti' meaning 'insect' and 'vorax' meaning 'devouring'.

Example

Pitcher plants are insectivorous plants that lure insects into their pitcher-shaped leaves.

Synonyms

Related Terms

  • Carnivory
  • Trapping
  • Prey

Usage Notes

Insectivorous plants often have specialized structures, like sticky leaves or nectar traps, to capture insects.