ABSTRACT
The pitchers of some carnivorous plants such as species of Nepenthes can also shelter insects which develop normally as in bromeliad or heliconia leaf bracts. It must be noted that certain plants, such as species of Roridual (Roridulaceae) from South Africa, despite analogies, do not seem to be really carnivorous plants, but rather, when small bugs (Hemiptera) light on the flowers, they trigger the release of pollen. Before reviewing the main carnivorous plants, let us note that the pitchers of species of Nepenthes sometimes harbor insects which are immune to the digestive enzymes. If must be noted that often among carnivorous plants, the same glands which secrete digestive diastases absorb the results of their digestive action. The author points out that both biologically and cytologically, the secreting and digestive cells of the carnivorous plants are comparable to the animal cells with similar functions (namely the cells of the pancreas).
