The Venus flytrap can count

[Plazma Inferno!]

In the recent experiment, German researchers studied how the Venus flytrap, a carnivorous plant, was responding to movement of the trigger hairs, and determined that it was counting electrical pulses from them.
The results show that plant would clamp its leaves shut only after trigger hairs are tripped two times within about 20 seconds. Even without nerves, it counts electric impulses that go from cell to cell.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/science/the-venus-flytrap-a-plant-that-can-count.html

 

[Write4U]

In the recent experiment, German researchers studied how the Venus flytrap, a carnivorous plant, was responding to movement of the trigger hairs, and determined that it was counting electrical pulses from them.
The results show that plant would clamp its leaves shut only after trigger hairs are tripped two times within about 20 seconds. Even without nerves, it counts electric impulses that go from cell to cell.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/02/science/the-venus-flytrap-a-plant-that-can-count.html

I have read that also, and from an evolutionary standpoint it is very clever solution for the triggering mechanism to tell the difference between an inanimate (lifeless) object and a living animated organism (food).

I also read that the action of closing the leaves is through a hydraulic process, where the outer membranes of the leaves fill up with fluids forcing the leaves to bend inward, thereby trapping the insect inside.

 

[Daecon]

I love Venus Flytraps. I've had several over the years, many of which even flowered.

 

[Write4U]

I love Venus Flytraps. I've had several over the years, many of which even flowered.

I have always been fascinated by the incredible diversity in biology. How is it possible that a plant is able to become predatory? That is a truly remarkable and ironic twist in the food chain. Below is a link to the 10 most common carnivorous plants. Note that each species comes in a variety of evolved sub-sets.
http://listverse.com/2011/06/09/top-10-fascinating-carnivorous-plants/