September 01, 2026
Scientists have proved a theory proposed by renowned scientist Charles Darwin through the study of a plant called Saxifraga candelabrum. Around 150 years ago, Darwin had predicted that Saxifraga umbrosa and Saxifraga rotundifolia, belonging to the Saxifraga genus, could be carnivorous. These plants let out a sticky substance through structures called glandular trichomes, which are similar to hair. This led Darwin to believe that some plants belonging to the Saxifraga genus could be carnivorous. However, there was no proof of the plants attracting, consuming and digesting insects, a requirement for the classification of a plant as carnivorous. Using advanced techniques, scien tists proved all these characteristics in the Saxifraga candelabrum plant, supporting Darwin’s idea.
DID YOU KNOW?
Carnivorous plants perform photosynthesis like other plants. The prey they consume supplies them with nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, which are scarce in their habitat.
Visible Trichomes
