Enzymatic liquid digests insects: green pitcher-plant

1 of 2 Pitcher Plant / Travis S. / License

Liquid found in trumpet pitcherplants digests insects enzymatically.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Break down >
	Chemically break down >
	Other organic compounds

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Non-toxic enzymatic industrial cleanser; pitcher plant-inspired device for insect control -- slick "hairs" in throat of device and enzyme in the tank.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"In the southern part of the United States, another member of the same family, the trumpet pitcher, has elaborated this simple structure. The hood at the top is much bigger and so vividly coloured that it might be mistaken at first sight for a flower…Nectar glands cover these hoods so densely that they glisten. Additional glands are scattered rather more thinly all over the outer surface of the trumpet itself. And the liquid within is more potent than the Venezuelan marsh pitchers, for it is quite capable by itself of digesting insects without any help from bacteria." (Attenborough 1995:74-76)

About the inspiring organism

Sarracenia oreophila
Sarracenia oreophila (Kearney) Wherry
[Green pitcher-plant]

IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered
Habitat(s): Wetlands

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Non-toxic enzymatic industrial cleanser; pitcher plant-inspired device for insect control -- slick "hairs" in throat of device and enzyme in the tank.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Bioremediation, cleaning industry

References

Attenborough, D. 1995. The Private Life of Plants: A Natural History of Plant Behavior. London: BBC Books. 320 p.

Enzymatic liquid digests insects: green pitcher-plant

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