Plants are engineered by nature to survive in their environments They adapt to get the food and space they need to grow Some species also have special defenses to keep hungry animals away FAST FACT Water hemlock looks innocent but its poison can kill a victim in just 15 minutes 4 When Plants Attack
Most plants make their own food from sunlight and air This process is called photosynthesis Some plants trap insects or other animals to get extra food Others steal nutrients from other plants These killer plants strangle stab or even poison their victims DID YOU KNOW Water hemlock is the most poisonous plant in North America A small amount is enough to kill a cow or even a human 5
A Venus flytrap opens its leaves wide to trap prey Its sweet-smelling nectar attracts a fly The insect lands on the leaf bending its short stiff hairs Snap The leaf slams shut Spikes around its edges lock together They keep the fly from escaping The trap closes tightly It squashes the fly The plant releases special substances that break down the body into tiny pieces Then the plant digests its victim 6 DID YOU KNOW Venus flytraps grow in soils that are low in nutrients They catch insects to get nutrients they need to survive Some even capture small frogs Venus Flytrap
FAST FACT If a fallen leaf causes the trap to close the plant opens to let the wind blow the leaf away ACTIVITY Engineering in Practice The spikes on a Venus flytrap form a cage See how this works using your own two hands Rest your hands on a table and place your palms and fingers together Pull your palms apart still resting on the table at the wrist Spread your paired fingers out so there are gaps between them Lace your fingers together and fold them over Now you have made a flytrap 7
