Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: katieHaylor on 23/05/2018 09:19:49
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Mervyn asks:
With the aid of genetic engineering etc, would it be possible to develop a larger version of the "Venus Flytrap" plant?
What do you think?
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Could scientists make a giant Venus flytrap?
Probably.
But for such a modified plant to survive in the wild, the extra energy and resources that go into making a larger "trap" would need to be balanced by the increased chance of catching larger prey.
These insectivorous plants usually live in poor soils, and supplement whatever they can suck up from the soil by whatever they can catch from the air.
There are other types of insectivorous plants that can catch larger prey - some pitcher plants have a symbiotic relationship with tree shrews; some large species have been found with dead mice inside.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcher_plant#Feeding_behavior
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In the words of the irreplaceable Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park: "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should."