© 2024 New Hampshire Public Radio

Persons with disabilities who need assistance accessing NHPR's FCC public files, please contact us at publicfile@nhpr.org.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS FOR A CHANCE TO WIN OUR GRAND PRIZE OF $35K TOWARD A NEW CAR OR $25K CASH!

Scientists discover sweet white flower is really a sneaky carnivore

A MARTINEZ, HOST:

Good morning. I'm A Martinez.

Scientists have known about a flower called the false asphodel since the 19th century - a long-stemmed plant with pretty white petals. But closer inspection led botanists to discover what some insects may have known for a long time - that the wildflower has an appetite for meat. The small hairs on the flower secrete an enzyme that traps and digests poor flies that stop by. So to all our fly listeners or listeners who are flies, consider yourself warned.

It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.