News Plants

How Venus flytraps store short-term ‘memories’ of prey

Calcium concentrations in leaf cells signal when the carnivorous plants should snap shut

Venus flytrap plant

When sensory hairs in Venus flytraps are triggered, a flood of calcium enters cells in the leaves, causing the trap to close.

Dave-Carroll/iStock/Getty Images Plus

By Curtis Segarra

- More than 2 years ago

A Venus flytrap’s short-term “memory” can last about 30 seconds.