question_answer 42)

  You have heard about several insectivorous plants that feed on insects. Nepenthes or the pitcher plant is one such example, which usually growsin shallow water or in marsh lands. What part of the plant is modified intoa pitcher? How does this modification help the plant for food even thoughit can photosynthesize like any other green plant?

Answer:

                   In insectivorous plant, e.g., Nepenthes, the leaf lamina gets modified in the form of pitcherand anterior part of petiole coils like tendril which keeps the pitcher in a vertical direction. Posterior part of the petiole remains flattened like a leaf. The apex of lamina forms a lid. Pitcher contains digestive enzyme which digest the trapped insects. All these modifications and adaptation are developed to make up the nitrogen deficiency inthe plant because these plants are found in deficient soil, (marshy/swamp soils)