Brocchinia reducta is a carnivorous plant in the bromeliad family. It is native to southern Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana, and is found in areas with nutrient-poor, high moisture soil. Its funnel-like structure and waxy coating, among other characteristics, suggest that this plant is carnivorous.
Structure
Brocchinia reducta, like many other bromeliads, forms a water-storing cup with its tightly overlapping, bright yellow and green leaves, creating a cylinder when growing outdoors called a rosette. This coating is highly reflective of ultraviolet light, which also protects the plant from harmful rays. However, several studies have determined that the reflective wax coating serves mainly to cause insects to slip into the water cup below. Once trapped, it is nearly impossible for insects to crawl out of the steep slippery leaves; they eventually drown. Its trichomes, located on the outer cell wall, can transport molecules as small as 6.6 nm.thumb|Looking down the waxy rosette of a B. reducta specimen displaying looser-packed leaves
Commercial use
B. reducta has been sold commercially on several carnivorous plant websites as a carnivorous specimen that people can own at home. However, there is potential for a large difference in a B. reducta specimen that is grown in its natural habitat than one sold and grown commercially. Where a natural growth specimen is bright yellow green, a B. reducta grown without its normal light exposure can be darker shades of green. Additionally, the leaves will grow less condensed, and the plant will not reach its natural height.
center|thumb|B. reducta grown outside of its natural habitat, showing looser leaves and darker pigment
References
Further reading
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