Byblis (plant): Difference between revisions

The leaves of all species are round in cross section and highly elongated, tapering at the end. The surface of the leaves is densely studded with glandular hairs which secrete a [[mucilage|mucilaginous]] substance from their tip. These serve to attract small [[insect]]s, which upon touching the sticky secretions are ensnared. Unless they are strong enough to escape, the insect prey either die of exhaustion or [[asphyxiate]] as the mucilage envelops them and clogs their [[Spiracle (arthropods)|spiracles]]. Unlike the sundews, however, ''Byblis'' can move neither their tentacles nor the leaves themselves to aid trapping or digestion. As a result, they are grouped among the "passive flypaper traps" along with ''[[Pinguicula]]'', ''[[Drosophyllum]]'', ''[[Roridula]]'', ''[[Stylidium]]'' and ''[[Triphyophyllum peltatum]]''.