Expert: Christopher Littrell - 3/5/2008

Question
we are performing an experiment on the pitcher plant for our science fair project, but we are having difficulties finding the following:
how long does a three to six inch pitcher plant take to digest small insects such as fruit flies?
will the pitcher plant be able to digest the insects at this stage/height?
what are the specfic digestive enzymes of the plant?
how does the venus fly trap compare to the purple pitcher plant?
and finally, what is your expert opinion on how the plant will react to the additives of sodium hydroxide and vinegar(acetic acid), to the digestive fluid inside the plant?

we appreciate your time. :)

Answer
Hello Savita, Mossogbe, and Kelly,

Glad to see you are interested in carnivorous plants. I can provide you with some hints and information, but since this is your project, you will need to read and search for information beyond this site... the experts here cannot answer homework and school project questions directly.

Not all pitcher plants produce digestive enzymes, some use water to trap the prey and then just wait for it to rot for a couple of weeks.

Look for sites with search terms like "pitcher plant enzymes," and "digestion in pitcher plants" and look over each site that seems to have information of the type you are seeking.

A small pitcher plant will digest insects in roughly the same time as a fully grown plant as long as the prey is comparatively small.

There are many ways in which Venus Flytraps and Purple Pitcher Plants differ. You can talk about which plants trap prey with active mechanisms and which trap with passive mechanisms and which are more efficient. You could also talk about which plant digests prey more efficiently. You could detail physical differences between plants like size, coloration, flowers, roots, and types of insects they attract and trap.

I would not know what the direct effect would be of placing substances like vinegar and caustic soda in a pitcher plant would be, however; I suspect that caustic soda would injure or kill the plant if used in a strong solution just as it does to skin and bones in animals and humans. Vinegar is sometimes used as weed control so could harm the plant as well. Make sure your teacher is present and helps out if you do use those chemicals as they can cause burns on exposed skin in stronger concentrations.

Have fun with your science project,

Christopher