Illustration of Venus flytrap
Venus flytrap
noun
Venus fly·trap
-ˈflī-ˌtrap 
: an insectivorous plant (Dionaea muscipula) of the sundew family of the Carolina coast with the leaf apex modified into an insect trap
called also Venus's-flytrap
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What a Venus Flytrap Should Look Like
The real Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a small carnivorous plant native to subtropical wetlands on the East Coast of the United States.
—
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
The elements in general are definitely reminiscent of the traps on a Venus flytrap, although they were actually inspired by the prey-catching appendages of another carnivorous plant, the aquatic waterwheel (Aldrovanda vesiculosa).
—Ben Coxworth
may 23, New Atlas, 23 May 2025
Even more entertainment can be found nearby at the Carolina Beach State Park, which offers a variety of hiking paths, including the Flytrap Trail where visitors can see the native Venus flytrap plant.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
The closest comparison found in nature today is the Venus flytrap, a carnivorous plant with hinged leaves that snap shut when prey flies inside, according to the new study.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
Carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps and pitcher plants rely on frequent fire activity to remove shrubs and other plants that would grow over them and block the light.
—Lauren Lowman, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
The gravitational pull of the World Series win, coupled with the possibility of multiple more to come, has become baseball’s Venus flytrap.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Would sending them thank-you Venus flytraps via FedEx be considered an overstep?
—Mitch Wallace, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Featuring green skin, fiery red tresses, and toxic red lips, Poison Ivy even comes armed with a Venus flytrap and bow and arrow.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
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Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
The elements in general are definitely reminiscent of the traps on a Venus flytrap, although they were actually inspired by the prey-catching appendages of another carnivorous plant, the aquatic waterwheel (Aldrovanda vesiculosa).
—Ben Coxworth
may 23, New Atlas, 23 May 2025
Even more entertainment can be found nearby at the Carolina Beach State Park, which offers a variety of hiking paths, including the Flytrap Trail where visitors can see the native Venus flytrap plant.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2025
The closest comparison found in nature today is the Venus flytrap, a carnivorous plant with hinged leaves that snap shut when prey flies inside, according to the new study.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2025
Carnivorous plants such as Venus flytraps and pitcher plants rely on frequent fire activity to remove shrubs and other plants that would grow over them and block the light.
—Lauren Lowman, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
The gravitational pull of the World Series win, coupled with the possibility of multiple more to come, has become baseball’s Venus flytrap.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
Would sending them thank-you Venus flytraps via FedEx be considered an overstep?
—Mitch Wallace, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
Featuring green skin, fiery red tresses, and toxic red lips, Poison Ivy even comes armed with a Venus flytrap and bow and arrow.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 20 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Venus flytrap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Venus%20flytrap. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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