Flowers 19

You’d be surprised at the plants growing in tropical jungles, swamps and mountains. One of the biggest surprises is the carnivorous pitcher plant, an elegant plant with over 120 species in many variations, sizes and colours. Some grow above the ground and hang like suspended vases; others are more like pots and grow on the ground. As the name implies, this unique plant is shaped like a pitcher. It produces fluid into which insects are attracted and drowned. The sides of the pitcher are slippery or sticky and can also be grooved, to ensure that the insects remain trapped. The insect’s body is slowly dissolved in the fluid and the plant absorbs the nutrients. The pretty pitcher plant attracts its prey with an enticingly wide opening. Other signals are also sent out to attract food: during the day, tempting, hard-to-resist colours and patterns, at night, distinctive smells to attract flies and moths and sweet fragrances and sugary nectar strategically placed to ensure a fall into the trap below. The pitcher plant is not a fussy eater and has a healthy appetite; anything with legs will do, although it won’t turn its nose up at the occasional butterfly larvae either. The plants are also sometimes called Monkey Cups because monkeys often drink the liquid in them - but of course they never get stuck.