Carnivorous plants are found all over the world. Some species of the genus also known as carnivores are represented in Germany. Most varieties grow in wet areas, especially bogs. But there are also species that are native to the mountains.
Which carnivorous plants are there in Germany?
Five species of carnivorous plants (carnivores) are native to Germany: butterwort (Pinguicula), sundew (Drosera), pitcher plant (Sarracenia), waterfall (Aldrovanda) and bladderwort (Utricularia). They are mainly found in wetlands, moors and mountains.
Which species of carnivores are native to Germany?
Five species of carnivores occur in Germany. These are:
- Fedwort (Pinguicula)
- Sundew (Drosera)
- Pitch Plant (Sarracenia)
- Waterfall (Aldrovanda)
- Water hose (Utricularia)
It occurs in the nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg, in East Frisia in Lower Saxony, in Schleswig-Holstein and in the Mecklenburg Lake District. Here you can mainly find sundew species, some butterworts and watersuckers.
Basically it can be said that sundews prefer moorland areas, while butterworts and waterfalls are more likely to be found in the mountains.
This is how sundews and butterworts catch insects
The plants form trapping leaves that are covered with a sticky liquid. Small spines are noticeable on sundews. Depending on the variety, the leaves turn red and attract smaller insects such as mosquitoes, which stick to the leaves.
The plants then secrete a secretion that releases and digests the nutrients from the prey. All that remains are the chitin shells and legs of the insects. They are removed by the wind.
This additional form of nutrition is necessary because carnivorous plants only occur in very nutrient-poor locations.
Native carnivorous plants are hardy
All species found here are hardy. They often disappear completely in the fall and only sprout again the following spring.
In the garden, all types of carnivorous plants can be kept outside in the bog bed all year round.
If native varieties are grown indoors, they must be kept cool over the winter.
Carnivorous species in Germany are under nature protection
Carnivorous plants depend on the conditions of their locations. Due to increasing development, degradation of moors and other changing environmental conditions, carnivorous plants are becoming increasingly rare in Germany. They were therefore placed under nature protection.
You are therefore not allowed to dig up, cut off or pick carnivorous plants in the wild.
Tip
The diversity of carnivorous plants is huge. To date, around 700 different species from different genera are known. Many of the houseplants cultivated here come from tropical, subtropical regions or rainforests.
