47
Health & Science4h 2m ago

Scientists have identified that Venus flytraps rapidly soften cell walls in the trap's outer skin to snap shut, allowing the outer surface to expand more easily than the inner.

Archive Window: 7 Days Left

France

Who
Jeongeun Ryu of the French National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS) and a team of researchers
What
Scientists have identified that Venus flytraps rapidly soften cell walls in the trap's outer skin to snap shut, allowing the outer surface to expand more easily than the inner.
When
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:01:31 GMT · 4h 2m ago
Where
France ·
Why
This mechanism allows the Venus flytrap to capture prey quickly, as it represents the fastest modulation of wall mechanics reported in plants.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This discovery sheds light on how plants can achieve rapid movements through dynamic tuning of material properties, offering principles for muscle-free, bioinspired actuation. It deepens our understanding of plant biology and evolution.

Story chain

3 events in this thread

Verified Sources & Citations