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Glite Dictionary
Dionaea muscipula

Dionaea muscipula

9.9
A plant known as the Venus flytrap that traps and eats insects by closing its hinged leaves
  • noun
  • /daɪˈoʊniə mʌˈskɪpjʊlə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Dionaea muscipula
  • The Dionaea muscipula is famous for its rapid leaf movement to catch unsuspecting insects.

Examples

  • The natural habitat of Dionaea muscipula is restricted to the wetlands of the Carolinas.

  • Many plant enthusiasts cultivate Dionaea muscipula for its unique method of capturing prey.

  • The Dionaea muscipula is a fascinating plant.

  • Many gardeners love the Dionaea muscipula for its unique appearance.

  • Many plant enthusiasts cultivate Dionaea muscipula for its unique method of capturing prey.

  • The Dionaea muscipula is famous for its rapid leaf movement to catch unsuspecting insects.

  • The natural habitat of Dionaea muscipula is restricted to the wetlands of the Carolinas.

Synonyms

flytrap
vsDionaea muscipula
4 4.1

A plant that catches and digests insects for food

is a single species native to the Carolinas with hinged closing leaves
carnivorous plant
vsDionaea muscipula
1 4.6

A plant that eats insects and small animals to get food

refers to a single species rather than the broader group of such plants
Venus's flytrap
vsDionaea muscipula
  • US
6.8

A small plant that eats insects by snapping its leaves shut quickly

is the scientific Latin name used in formal biological naming

Surface Forms

Dionaea muscipula singular
Dionaea muscipulas plural

Morphology

Dionaea + muscipula

This is a Latin scientific binomial functioning as a taxonomic proper name rather than a compositional English phrase; its meaning (the Venus flytrap) is a learned label, not predictable from ordinary-English constituents. The second element 'muscipula' has no dictionary gloss here, and scientific names generally remain opaque to B1 learners even if they recognize one element, so the species name would not be derivable from its parts.

Etymology

Dionaea muscipula may come from two old words: Dionaea from the Greek goddess Dione, linked to 'Venus', and muscipula from Latin meaning 'fly-catcher'. So the name matches the common name 'Venus flytrap' and describes the plant's leaves that snap shut to catch flies.