These plants are normally found in soils that have a very low amount of nitrogen (swamps, bogs or sandy soils); the plant supplements the low amount of soil nitrogen with nitrogen that it obtains from catching insects.There are a number of types of insectivorous plants classified according to the method in which they "catch" their prey.Fly traps(Dioneaspp.) - plants actively catch flies and small insects using a modified leaf trap fitted with pressure sensitive hairs. On activation the trap closes trapping the insect, digestive enzymes are then released digesting the insect body and absorbing the nutrients. Originally from North and South Carolina in the USA.Pitcher Plants(Nepenthesspp. amongst others) - passive trap made by a modified cylindrical leaf, the leaf holds water and digestive "juices", the sides of the pitcher are lined with fine downwardly facing hairs; if the insect ventures to close to the edge of the trap it falls in, the hairs prevent it from escaping. After the insect drowns it is decomposed and the nutrients absorbed by the plant. Originally from North and South America, Australia, Borneo and tropical Asia - tropical high rainfall areas with poor soils.Sundews- (Droseraspp. amongst others) - partly active traps. Modified leaves that secrete a sticky "glue" insects walking close enough to the plant or landing on the leaves are trapped; in most varieties the leaf then curls around the insect first suffocating it and then digesting it. Originally from South America, Australia, Southern Africa and New Guinea
