Douglas Soltis

“When the soil is low in nitrates this is one adaptation that has emerged.”

Douglas Soltis · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-04

Soltis said that low soil nitrates drove the evolution of carnivory as an adaptation.

“These plants can photosynthesize — they can make their own food. But they need nitrates,”

Douglas Soltis · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-04

Soltis explained that the plants can photosynthesize but still need nitrates.

“Most are in boggy soils — think pitcher plants and flytraps.”

Douglas Soltis · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-04

Soltis noted that most carnivorous plants are found in boggy soils rather than alpine habitats.

“Many members of the family to which Saxifraga belongs have sticky glandular hairs and you often see insects stuck on them,”

Douglas Soltis · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-04

Soltis told CNN in an email that many members of the Saxifraga family have sticky glandular hairs that trap insects.