Enjoy the Beauty of Weeks Bay Pitcher Plant Bog Near Fairhope

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By Donna Cope

Many Alabamians marvel at Venus flytrap plants in stores, not realizing thousands of carnivorous plants await at Weeks Bay Pitcher Plant Bog near Fairhope.

Like the Venus flytrap, the pitcher plant is a sneaky insect catcher. Pitcher plants passively await their prey: insects are attracted to the pitcher’s colors, markings, sweet smell and leaves. When bugs enter the pitcher’s slick, waxy neck, they can’t crawl up to escape. The insects eventually die and break down, supplying nutrients to the plant.

These plants’ carnivory seem part of a master design: the bog near Weeks Bay is open and sunny, and has nutrient-poor soil. Carnivory allows pitchers a method of receiving needed nitrogen and carbon.

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