How a Cobra Lily Traps Prey

I give an "Insect's-view" of the trapping mechanism of the Cobra Lily for those who wonder how this plant catches prey.

Ok, so some peeps can't understand Newfoundland vernacular so I have to write out the mechanism.

The whole leaf has nectar glands that are highly concentrated on the two leaf-like pieces hanging down and along the edge of the tube. They both go up towards that opening where the insect will follow. Looking up into the hole it is very bright with the sunlight. When the insect enters the opening, the light encourages it to go upward. Once realizing it is in a trap, it will either run around the inside wall and slip down into the tube or fly towards the light, bump into the "windows" and then fall. Inside the tube are covered in fine needle-like hairs that feel like silk in one direction but stop movement upwards. The deeper the victim goes, the tighter the tube until bottom is reached and the prey can't move any further in either direction. The walls sweat and drown the insect. Bacteria and mites assist the digestion.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• carnivorous
• plants
• insectivorous
• traps
• pitcherplant
• cobra
• lily
• darlingtonia
• californica

[BloatedSensations]

@Piranhaboy01 Seriously? You put your video up on Youtube with an open comments section - OF COURSE you asked for his/her opinion! That's the whole point of the comments section!?!?!

[divinegod102]

Just like my girlfriend Lily when she trapped me...

[Vahagn46]

eshutyun

[MegaPythonGuy]

Thats prety cool but,..hey wait a minute, I was watching 30-06 shooting ten minutes ago,...CURSE YOU YOUTUBE!!!!!!

[crappables]

我需要回頭箭他媽的出 hahahahaha im writing in.... ASIAN not chinese ASIAN! and i dont know what the hell i wrote :D

[mouser889]

0:28 that's what she said

[dubsteppin8o8]

could you stroke it more like a faggot.

JK cool vid

[techandscience333]

The nectar is a lie!

[bmxking46666]

no good top comments..... TITS

[thagrammarnazi]

@SillyLitleGirl If you take morality away from life anyone can get to do anything, this Is what many people now use the internet for.

[2146042663]

so sexy

[SillyLitleGirl]

That's...wow. I never knew this plant existed, it's absolutely gorgeous! I wish I worked at a plant nursery!