A recent scientific study has discovered that a certain type of pitcher plant uses the power of rain to trap and digest insects such as ants. The Nepenthes gracilis is now under a new class, distinct from the two known classes.

Most carnivorous plants are either placed in the active class, such as the venus flytraps, or the passive class, where most pitcher plants belong. Although the Nepenthes is part of the pitcher plant family, it is the only one that uses outside forces to trap and eat preys. It does not even exert any effort in doing so.

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The researchers closely examined the ingenious pitcher plant and found that it's lid is quite stiff compared to others. Bristol University researchers used various equipments, including cameras, to capture the Nepenthes's technique of trapping preys. Devices that measure vibrations coming from the plant were also used. 

The images showed that when a raindrop hits the lid of the plant, a series of quick vibrations are released, causing insects on its leaf to lose balance and fall into the plant's pitcher. Once trapped below, the insects will slowly be consumed by the plant's digestive enzymes if they do not drown first. Researchers also found some kind of wax that reduces friction, is also present under the plant's lid.

One of the researchers Doctor Ulrike Bauer described the vibration of the Nepenthes plant after a drop of water hits its lid. The leaf springs back and forth with amazing speed, which probably causes insects to lose their balance and grip.

The doctor says this hunting method is not common. The Nepenthes uses cunning and speed to capture preys. The fact that it uses rain drops to help it trap insects is something most carnivorous plants do not usually do.

Bauer added that the plant is able to take advantage of rain drops because of its particular structure. Most pitcher plants have lids that are softer than those of the Nepenthes. The reseachers say the plant's stiff lid is where the strongest vibration occurs.

The study has been published in the PNAS journal.

Tagsnepenthes garcilis, pitcher plant, Carnivorous plant, flytrap, active carnivorous plant, passive carnivorous plant, PNAS Journal, plant's digestive enzymes, plant vibration