Dionaea muscipula

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Distribution Map: Based on vouchered plant specimens only. View county names by placing the mouse cursor over a particular county.

Species Distribution Map
Family:DROSERACEAE
Species:Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis
Common Name:Venus' Flytrap
Habitat:Low acidic boggy habitats in the coastal plain.
Associated Ecological Communities:**
Growth Habit:Herb
Duration:Perennial
Category:Vascular
USDA Symbol:**
Plant Notes:Venus’ Flytrap is an introduced herbaceous perennial in the Sundew family (Droseraceae). It is native to the outer Coastal Plain of North and South Carolina, and has been introduced in Alabama, California, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington State. In Alabama it has been collected from Baldwin County. Venus’ Flytrap grows in pitcher plant bogs, seeps, wet pine savannas, and wet roadside ditches. It is a perennial from a bulbous base surrounded by the expanded bases of the petioles. Leaves are in basal rosettes, petiolate, the petioles winged. The leaf blade consists of two hinged lobes that are sub-reniform in outline, with large bristles along the margins. The upper surface of the leaf blades have 3 trigger hairs that cause the lobes to snap shut on prey when stimulated. The leaves may be entirely green, orange or maroon red on the upper surface of the blade, or entirely reddish in color. Leaf color is determined by genetics and light exposure, with plants in bright light tending to develop more red color. Flowers are produced in umbel-like cymes. Each flower has 5 white petals and 15-20 stamens. The fruit is a capsule. Venus’ Flytrap is readily available in the nursery trade. Venus’ Flytrap requires a moist sandy or peaty soil and full sun. Plants should not be allowed to dry out during the growing season. Venus’ Flytrap, like the related Sundews, is a carnivorous plant that attracts, catches, and digests small arthropods. Some prefer to use the term “insectivorous” to more accurately describe these plants. The nutrients, especially nitrogen, from the prey are absorbed and supplement nutrients available in the poor, acidic soils where these plants grow. While the addition of these nutrients aid plants in the wild, cultivated plants are able to thrive without the addition of prey. There is no need to “feed” your plant, and too many prey items can actually harm the plant. Venus’ Flytrap is an fascinating plant and can be grown in bog gardens
Taxonomic Notes:**
Status:Not Native
References:**

** Not applicable or data not available.

Classification

FamilyDROSERACEAE - Sundew family
Genus Dionaea
Species Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis - Venus' Flytrap

Citation

Citation Dionaea muscipula J. Ellis, St. James's Chron. Brit. Eve.-Post 1172: 4. 1768.
Basionym: **
Type: **

** Not applicable or data not available.

Synonyms

No synonyms exist for this species.

Specimens and Distribution

This species has been reported in the following counties by the herbaria listed. An overview of the individual specimens are provided in the table that follows. Click on the accession number to view details; click on column headers to sort; choose a county or herbaria to filter the specimen data.

Counties included on distribution map: Baldwin

Counties represented by specimen data listed below:

Herbaria represented by specimen data listed below: AUA, UWAL

Range of years during which specimens were collected: -

Barcode / Accession No. County Coll. Date Collector &
Collection No.		 Herbarium &
Herbarium Name Used		 Image
UWAL0052812 Baldwin 17 Oct 1996 Sorrie, B.A.
9122		 UWAL
Dionaea muscipula Ellis
AUA_ACC_59824 Baldwin 17 Oct 1996 SORRIE, BRUCE A.
9109		 AUA
DIONAEA MUSCIPULA ELLIS
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