WHAT ARE ALDROVANDA

Aldrovanda vesciculosa is an aquatic plant that floats just below the water surface. They are also called the Water Wheel Plant. As the name suggest the leaves and petiole grows around the stems so it looks like a water wheel. They are rootless and their stems are only about 4-6 inches long. The traps are very similar in appearance to that of its cousin, the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) that look like a clam. However, the traps of a Water Wheel Plant have long pointy bristles around its traps.

HOW DO THEY CAPTURE INSECTS

It is still unclear as to how the Water Wheel Plant lure creatures into its traps. However, when a tiny swimming creature enters the traps and triggers one of the trigger hairs, the trap quickly shuts. Water is squeezed out of the trap and digestive juices are secreted to digest the creature.

WHERE CAN I FIND ALDROVANDA

The Water Wheel Plant are found in small populations in placid, acidic ponds and lakes in Europe, Australia and Asia.

FIND OUT MORE

To find out more about Aldrovanda, check out the disccussion board here.