The Venus' fly trap, pitcher plant, and sundew are carnivorous plants that make fascinating houseplants. The plant consists of a rosette of flattened leaves. The upper portion of each leaf has a trap-like structure. The inner surface of the trap is dark pink to red. There are also 3 trigger hairs on the inner surface of each lobe.
Nothing happens if only one trigger hair is touched by an insect.
However, when one trigger hair is touched twice or when two are touched in succession, the trap closes. The teeth-like projections interlock, trapping the unsuspecting victim inside. The struggling victim stimulates the secretion of digestive juices. These juices digest the soft parts of the insect. Only the hard, indigestible parts of the insect remain when the trap reopens in about 10 days.