Macrophotograph of the Venus fly trap plant,Dionaea muscipula,showing the open leaves & trigger hairs. The leaves are designed like a sophisticated mechanical trap; they are two-lobed,with a rib down the middle that functions like a hinge. The edge of each lobe has long thin spines which interlock to form a prison when the two lobes close around an unwary insect. The closure of the leaf is triggered by the three long,touch- sensitive hairs on the inner surface of each lobe. When an insect is trapped,the leaf secretes an enzyme which helps to decompose it,releasing carbon & nitrogen for the plant's use | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Burgess, Dr. Jeremy |
Taille de l’image : | 2289 px × 3364 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |