Venus's-flytrap

Venus's-flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), insect-catching plant that lives in the sandy country of the Carolinas and neighboring states. Its leaves form a rosette against the ground, and the outer part of each forms a pad hinged in the middle. Around the edge of the pad are stiff teeth and 3 spines stick up from the middle of the pad. When an insect brushes the spines, the pad rapidly folds up so that the insect is caught behind the teeth. Secretions digest the soft parts of the insect's body. The Venus-flytrap's speed is remarkable. It has even been recorded catching a small frog.