Unique exhibit focuses on carnivorous plants
Those visiting a Quebec botanical garden can see some of its displays chow down on airborne meals.
The Kingsey Falls attraction is cheerfully promoting Mystérieuses Carnivores, which displays a large number of carnivorous plants, with many visitors possibly unaware that the likes of the Venus fly-trap’s insect diet doesn’t make it a novelty in the plant kingdom, says Genevieve Destroismaisons, general manager of Parc Marie-Victorin.
“There are 800 species of carnivorous plants in the world,” she reports, adding that they’re found “on every continent except Antarctica. There are even 15 species found in Québec. We present 1,200 carnivorous plants in Mysteriuses carnivores from 80 different species.”
“Carnivorous plants feed on insects. There are several capture strategies, such as hinged, mucilage, urn or suction plants. From microscopic plants to nearly 1 meter tall, they’re fascinating! Just opening the door of our greenhouse is enough to provide them with insects (they can feed on). Although children love to offer them insects to watch them at work, there’s no need to ‘feed’ them.
“Brother Marie-Victorin’s favourite plant was the Purple pitcher plant, a carnivorous plant native to Quebec. So it was natural for Parc Marie-Victorin to develop this captivating theme.”
Brother Marie-Victorin was born in Kingsey Falls and became both a religious figure and a botanist, as well as a driving force behind the creation of Montreal’s botanical gardens.
Mystérieuses Carnivores features a greenhouse, an outdoor circuit, an exhibition on carnivorous plants in popular culture and a multimedia family quest.
Destroismaisons labels the exhibit a unique one that “gives you a 360-degree view of these fascinating plants!”
Children will enjoy what are billed as “four giant traps,” metal frames with riggings that will help them understand trap mechanisms used by carnivorous plants.
Destroismaisons says adults are also very curious about the exhibit, enjoying learning about the evolution, diversity, prey and history of plants that feed on living creatures. The park has seen a 23% increase in visitor numbers following the inauguration.
“In general, they’re quite curious. There’s no fear involved,” Destroismaisons says of visitors. “They’ve seen threatening representations in popular culture, but being in contact with real plants allows them to discover all their impressive facets.”
She praises the plants shown in the exhibit for their hardy nature, saying carnivorous plants are extremely diverse, and have adapted to hostile environments, such as wetlands and high plateaus. “Many species are threatened by the fragility of their environment, and also by collecting in the wild, which is not suggested, of course.
“These plants deserve to be better known, demystified and loved and their habitats protected!”
Meanwhile, Destroismaisons says those who visit the exhibit will gain endless insights into plants that are far from the norm when it comes to greenhouse displays.
“It’s a permanent garden-exhibition that’s a must-see!” she states. “Did you know that some (carnivorous plants) can even digest a mouse? That new species are discovered almost every year? That one of them has the fastest movement in the plant world?
“Lots to discover.”
