Newly discovered carnivorous plant is as deceptive as it is deadly
Charles Darwin predicted in 1875 that some members of the Saxifraga genus could be carnivorous—now scientists have finally proven him right
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown carnivorous plant, Saxifraga candelabrum, in the mountainous forests of China. This small, yellow-flowered plant, which may seem harmless at first glance, possesses a deadly secret—the ability to lure, ensnare, and digest insect prey for nutrients. To confirm the plant's carnivorous nature, researchers conducted extensive field observations, genetic analysis, and even a controlled experiment with fruit flies.
Mark Chase, a botanist at England’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, emphasizes that this study covers all aspects of the carnivorous syndrome, from field studies to laboratory work. The discovery supports Charles Darwin's prediction from 1875 that some members of the Saxifraga genus could be carnivorous, although the species he foretold differ from S. candelabrum.
Despite its conspicuous exterior, S. candelabrum relies on small, sticky traps to capture insects, providing a new example of how carnivorous plants might function. This finding highlights that many inconspicuous carnivorous plants or those with partial carnivorous traits may still be uncovered in nature. The researchers also identified a digestive enzyme in the plant that absorbs nitrogen from the insects it traps.
While the exact evolutionary process leading to carnivorousness in plants remains unknown, the authors suggest that understanding the broader genetic makeup of such plants could have implications for agriculture, as certain genes from carnivorous plants could be transferred into crops to create natural pesticides.
Written by urgent.news from Scientific American's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
