TITLE: Can Addition of Nitrogen in Place of Insects Nourish Venus Fly Traps?

AUTHOR: Nicole Capile

SCHOOL: Wachusett Regional High School

SCHOOL ADDRESS:

Venus Flytrap is found in sandy, boggy areas and mossy forests (culotta p. 16)

Soil of boggs are poor in nitrogen ("Venus Flytrap" Encarta)

Venus flytraps derive the needed nitrogen from insects and small animals ("Venus Flytrap" Encarta).

Venus Flytraps have acquired (traps) over the course of evolution the remarkable ability to attract, capture, and digest living prey ( Zauner p. 22)

Therefore, it is predicted that Venus Flytraps do not need to trap insects, if the plant is able to derive the sufficient amount of nitrogen. This nitrogen may be taken in through the soil or be ingested in an artificial food containing nitrogen.