Insectivorous Plants

First published in 1875, Insectivorous Plants is Charles Darwin’s meticulous and fascinating study of carnivorous flora.

Following the publication of his theory of evolution, Darwin spent years conducting exhaustive experiments in his home laboratory at Down House. This book details his scientific investigations into how certain plants capture, digest, and absorb nutrients from insects and other small creatures.

Darwin focused primarily on the sundew (Drosera), observing its sticky tentacles curl inward to secure prey, but also studied the Venus flytrap (Dionaea), the butterwort (Pinguicula), and the bladderwort (Utricularia). He performed over 200 experiments, using everything from cubes of meat and drops of milk to various mineral salts, to determine the chemical and physiological processes involved. Darwin proved that the plants secrete an acidic fluid containing a digestive ferment (an enzyme) analogous to that found in the stomachs of animals. He also demonstrated that the plants only react to nitrogenous material (indicating a clear adaptation for obtaining protein) and that they use a minimal amount of energy for their movements.

Insectivorous Plants is regarded as a masterpiece of experimental botany, showcasing Darwin’s thoroughness and confirming his view that the difference between the plant and animal kingdoms is often one of degree, not kind. It provided yet another clear example of the power of natural selection to drive complex adaptations, even in the plant world.