Question

Which one of the following is an insectivorous plant?
A. Balanophora
B. Orobanche
C. Rafflesia
D. Drosera

Answer 1

Hint: Insectivorous plants (insect-eating plants) generally known as carnivorous plants are those plants that extract some or most of their nutrients from consuming and trapping animals or protozoans generally insects or arthropods.

Complete answer:
A. Balanophora- It is a genus of parasitic plants in the family Balanophoraceae. It is a total root parasite which means these parasitic plants depend on the host plant for their growth, survival, and reproduction. These are mainly found in the tropical and temperate regions of Asia. Several species produce the odor which possibly attracts the pollinators that pollinate the plant.
B. Orobanche- Plants of the genus Orobanche or broom-rape in the family Orobanchaceae are root parasites that form holoparasite or obligate parasite which means those parasites which cannot complete its life without exploiting the host. These plants generally lack chlorophyll, bearing yellow, white, or blue snapdragon like flowers. As they lack chlorophyll they completely depend on other plants for nutrients.
C. Rafflesia- Rafflesia is one of the largest parasitic flowers belonging to the family Rafflesiaceae. This species has a large flower, buds growing from the ground or directly from the lower steam of the host plant, and they lack leaves, stems, or roots. A genus containing 28 species found in Southeast Asia generally in Indonesia, Malaysia, etc. It is a total root parasite which completely depends on its host plant for nutrients to grow and survive. Rafflesia discharge foul odor which attracts insects that help in pollination of the plant.
D. Drosera- Drosera is also known as Sundew which is one of the largest genera of insectivorous plants that belongs to the family Droseraceae and they are perennial herbaceous plants. Members of this family feed, and trap/capture and digest the insects with the help of stalked mucilaginous glands that are covering their leaf surface. These are widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions. These are perennial herbaceous plants.

Hence, the correct answer is option (D).

Note: Carnivorous or insectivorous plants can grow in the region where the soil is thin, or poorly rich in nutrients mainly nitrogen, and where plenty of sunlight is found. Therefore, these insectivorous plants trap insects to fulfil their nutrient requirement which they lack.