Carnivorous Plant Science Project Ideas
Carnivorous Plant Science Project Ideas
Here is a list of possible science projects involving carnivorous plants. Many of these come from questions my students have asked about these fascinating plants. Look through the list and use it as a spring board to come up with your own questions to investigate. Let us know about your project, and share any new topics with us.
- Does Venus Flytrap triggering response vary from plant to plant?
- Does Venus Flytrap triggering response vary from leaf to leaf?
- Does Venus Flytrap triggering response vary with age of plant?
- Does Venus Flytrap triggering response vary with the season of the year?
- How is Venus Flytrap closing time related to temperature?
- How is Venus Flytrap closing time related to age?
- How is Venus Flytrap closing time related to humidity?
- How is Venus Flytrap closing time related to soil?
- What soil limits (pH, moisture, composition) can Carnivorous Plants tolerate?
- Is leaf propagation with sundews better with older or younger leaves?
- Is leaf propagation with sundews better with one species or another?
- Which Carnivorous Plant species are most affected by environmental stress?
- Why do Sarracenia hybridize so readily?
- Verify digestion in pitcher plants.
- Which species of Carnivorous Plants are most efficient at trapping insects?
- Is there a relationship between trapping efficiency and soil nutrient deficiency?
- What leaf portions are essential for trapping?
- Are flies attracted by color, smell, shape, etc?
- Are Carnivorous Plant pollinators species-specific?
- What is the most common food of a Carnivorous Plant?
- Is there a relationship between insect spp. trapped and insect spp. density in a bog?
- Do Venus Flytraps prefer flies, ants or bees?
- How many times can a Venus Flytrap leaf be triggered before it dies?
- Can Carnivorous Plants be grown hydroponically?
- Do specific species of Carnivorous Plants trap or lure certain species of prey?
- What symbiotic relationships do Carnivorous Plants have with other organisms?
- What factors affect geographic distribution of Carnivorous Plants within a bog?
- Can vegetative apomixis be forced?
- Do any Carnivorous Plant flowers attract pollinators with ultraviolet color patterns?
- Are Carnivorous Plant pollinators common or rare prey for Carnivorous Plants?
- How does digestive efficiency compare among various Carnivorous Plants?
- Can Carnivorous Plant dormancy be eliminated through environmental or chemical controls?
- Should fertilizers really be avoided when culturing Carnivorous Plants?
- Do wild Carnivorous Plants reproduce more commonly by sexual or asexual methods?
- What significance does the venation pattern in Purple Pitcher Plants play?
- What is the survival advantage of winter leaves (phyllodia) of pitcher plants?
- Does red pigmentation in the Venus Flytrap trap affect trapping efficiency or frequency of insect visitation?
- Is the general public aware of Carnivorous Plants or Carnivorous Plant conservation efforts?
- Can entrapment be stimulated by non-prey techniques: chemical, magnetic, electrical, photic, etc?
- What is the best fungicide to use when germinating or growing Carnivorous Plants?
- How extensive is local parasitism and predation on Carnivorous Plants in your area?
- What specific animal associations can be found with Carnivorous Plants in your area?
- How many times must trigger hairs be touched to trip the trap?
- What is the best time to wait before the second tripping of trigger hair to get the fastest closing of the trap?
- How many times can a Venus Flytrap close before the trap dies?
- Will a Venus Flytrap digest cheese, meat or other protein sources?
- Are Venus Flytrap leaves bigger after feeding?
- In a Carnivorous Plant area compare species density in open sunny areas vs. shaded areas.
- Are Charles Darwin's hypotheses on plant carnivory correct?
- What will trigger the sundew's tentacles and leaves to curl over?
- What strength of a solution can the sundew's tentacles detect?
- What is the smallest mass the sundew's tentacles can detect?
- How fast does a sundew tentacle or leaf respond?
- If one sundew tentacle is stimulated, will others on the leaf also respond?
- How is the growth of a Carnivorous Plant affected by a "meal?"
- Is growth of a Carnivorous Plant after feeding different among different species of Carnivorous Plants?
- Which plants grow in association with Carnivorous Plants?
- What type of insects are attracted by Carnivorous Plants?
- What is the best soil content in which to grow Carnivorous Plants?
- What environmental conditions affect Carnivorous Plants; light, temperature, altitude, drainage, frequency of watering, association with other plants?
- Can germination time be affected by environmental factors?
- What factors affect the timing for appearance of flowers, pollination, fertilization?
- Is there a relationship between trap size and prey type or size?
- Is there a relationship between size and/or type of entrapment and location in the bog?
- What factors affect the rate of new trap formation over time?
- Is the phototropic response of a Carnivorous Plant affected by the capture of prey?
- How is the efficiency of capture related to size of opening, size of leaf, presence of specific parts, age of trap?
- Is the capture rate of a Carnivorous Plant affected by prey size, trap size, age, trap opening size, presence of certain trap parts i.e leaf windows, hood, leaf appendages?
- Is trap efficiency constant among different Carnivorous Plants in the same habitat?
- Is trap efficiency constant among the same Carnivorous Plants in different habitats?