- Brocchinia reducta
Taxobox
name = "Brocchinia reducta"
image_width = 240px
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Liliopsida
ordo =Poales
familia =Bromeliaceae
subfamilia =Pitcairnioideae
genus = "Brocchinia "
species = "B. reducta"
binomial = "Brocchinia reducta"
binomial_authority =
range_map_width = 240px
range_map_caption = "Brocchinia reducta" distribution"Brocchinia reducta" (pronEng|bɹɒkɪniːə ɹiːdʌktə) is one of few carnivorous bromeliads. It is native to southern
Venezuela andGuyana , and is found in nutrient-poorsoil ."B. reducta", like many other bromeliads, forms a water-storing cup with its tightly-overlapping leaves. The leaves surrounding the cup of "B. reducta" are coated with loose, waxy scales. These scales are highly reflective of
ultraviolet light. Since manyinsect s are attracted to ultraviolet (it is also reflected by manyflower s), this is an efficient lure. The water in the cup also emits a sweetodor , which may serve to attractant s and other insects.The scales, being loose, provide a poor foothold for insects landing on them. The unfortunate creatures slip into the water-filled cup and eventually drown.
It has been argued that "B. reducta" is not actually carnivorous in the sense of other such plants because the production of digestive
enzyme s could not be found. However, in 2005 it was shown that the plant produces at leastphosphatase and thus is a carnivorous plant "in sensu stricto". The enzymes and bacteria digest the trapped insects and thus release the nutrients for absorption by the leaves.References
* Gonzalez, J.M., K. Jaffe & F. Michelangeli 1991. Competition for Prey Between the Carnivorous Bromeliaceae "Brocchinia reducta" and Sarraceniaceae "Heliamphora nutans". "Biotropica" 23(4B): 602–604.
* Givnish, T.J., Burkhardt, E.L., Happel, R.E. & Weintraub, J.D. (1984). Carnivory in the bromeliad "Brocchinia reducta", with a cost/benefit model for the general restriction of carnivorous plants to sunny, moist, nutrient-poor habitats. "American Naturalist" 124: 479-497.
* Plachno, B. J.; Jankun, A.: "Phosphatase Activity in Glandular Structures of Carnivorous Plant Traps.", International Botanical Congress 2005 Vienna, P1716, The Jagiellonian Univ., Inst. of Botany, Dept. of Plant Cytology and Embryology, Krakow,Poland.External links
* [http://culturesheet.org/bromeliaceae:brocchinia:reducta Culture and care] on CultureSheet.org
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