Dionaea muscipula – Venus Flytrap

Venus Flytrap ( Dionaea muscipula ) is a carnivorous plant native to wetlands in the eastern subtropical region of the United States.  They are grown for their striking ornamental leaves which double as an insect catcher. In catching its own food this species gathers its own nutrients and does not require any fertilizer, just add water. Often displayed as houseplants Venus Flytraps require plenty of sunshine to reach their full potential. When plants are kept near a window or outdoors in warmer climates they can reach their full height (a mere 15cm (5 inches) and begin flowering from seed in around three to five years. This plant will grow as a perennial in sub-tropical and tropical zones and is suitable for growing in small pots. Growth Dionaea muscipula is an evergreen plant that will grow to a very modest 15cm (5 inches) in height and will spread approximately the same wide. Each plant can produce up to seven stems that can reach a maximum length of 10cm (3 inches). Plants with more than seven stems have often divided in the root system beneath the ground. The infamous trap is made of two hinged lobes the grow at the end of each leaf. The inner surfaces of the lobes produce small hair-like projections called trichomes that allow the plant to sense the pray and snap when contact is made. Dionaea muscipula is not frost tolerant but will cope with cooler temperatures down to around 10°C/50°F before it starts to die off. This species is slow growing but performs better when allowed to receive a minimum of four hours of full sun per day. Unlike many plant varieties, Venus Flytraps prefer an acidic soil. FAMILY: Droseraceae CLIMATE: Sub-Tropical and Tropical (Perennial) TEMPERATURE RANGE: 12°C to 35°C / 53 to 95°F SOIL TYPE: Peat Moss LOCATION: Full sun with protection from temperatures that fall below 10°C/50°F. HEIGHT: 15cm (5 inches) WIDTH: 15cm (5 inches) pH: 4.9-5.3 (Acidic) GROWTH TYPE: Perennial WATER REQUIREMENTS: Medium, not drought tolerant. POLLINATION: Bees and Beetles MATURITY: 3-5 years GERMINATION RATES: 70-75% GERMINATION TIME: 15-45 days SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 7000 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: Some WEED POTENTIAL: No EDIBLE: No SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY: Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) for 1 year. FACTS ABOUT DIONAEA MUSCIPULA (Venus Flytrap) North Carolina’s colonial Governor Arthur Dobbs wrote the first description of the Venus Flytrap in 1759 where he described the plant as a Catch Fly Sensitive. In 2014, North Carolina made the poaching of wild Venus Flytraps a felony with one man receiving 17 months prison for stealing 970 plants.