Byblis Liniflora

Byblis Liniflora is known by the colorful name the rainbow plant because of the beautiful colors that reflect off of this plant when the sunlight hits it. Byblis was actually the name of a goddess who was turned into a fountain which is where this plant initially got its name, relating the droplet-type secretions on the plant to the tears of this goddess. This plant is loved by many for not only its interesting carnivorous qualities but also due to its beautiful flowers. This plant is native only to one area and lives only as an annual naturally due to its need for the wet season. The rainbow plant functions similarly to other carnivorous plants that use secretions but also have their own relationship with specific bugs who help them trap other smaller insects.

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The rainbow plant has a large number of clear secretions that will give a prismatic effect when hit by the sun, creating a beautiful rainbow. This plant is gorgeous not only from its rainbow effect but also from the desirable flowers. The attractive qualities of the rainbow plant are why it was named after one of the most beautiful goddesses in mythology, as well as her story of crying enough to turn into a fountain or spring.

This plant is native only to a northern area of Australia. In its natural habitat, this plant is an annual type due to its inability to survive during the dry season of the year in this area. When kept as a potted plant or in a garden, the rainbow plant can actually act as a perennial if kept in a moist atmosphere throughout the year. This plant is desirable as a potted plant and garden plant because carnivorous plants are fascinating to gardeners. The rainbow plant is even more attractive to keep at home because of its beautiful qualities. This makes it hard to resist as a cultivated plant-primarily due to its perennial qualities when kept in a pot.

There are many carnivorous plants that use secretions to attract, catch, and digest prey. The rainbow plant is covered in a dew-like substance on its leaves and stems. These droplets are actually similar to glue. These secretions shine brightly in the sunlight and attract insects to them. When these insects touch the secretions, they are stuck to the plant almost every time. Once the insect is attached to the plant, the glue may cause the prey to suffocate, killing them. Insects that aren’t adequately suffocated will still be unable to escape and eventually will die from struggling trying to get away. The rainbow plant will now release digestive enzymes that break down the body of the insect and allow it to be absorbed for its nutrients into the plant. The rainbow plant is also known to possibly have a relationship with bugs that work as assassins. These bugs would be eating the insects trapped by the rainbow plant’s glue-like secretions, and once the assassin bugs defecate, the rainbow plant is able to absorb the nutrients this way instead of directly breaking down caught insects.