Inside the trap are six flexible trigger hairs. When an insect goes into the folded leaf trap and touches any two of the flexible trigger hairs, the leaf snaps shut. The insect is caught. The leaf halves fold close together, squashing the insect. The plant gives off enzymes inside the trap to dissolve minerals from the insect.
Rainwater falling on the trap can also help dissolve the insect.
When the plant has taken all of the minerals that it is able to dissolve, it opens. Whatever remains of the insect, if anything, falls out. The trap is ready again. The venus flytrap produces a cluster of white flowers on top of a leafless stalk 10 to 30 cm tall. Each flower is 2.5 cm wide with 5 petals and 5 sepals.