“Attack of the killer tomatoes? - Tahlequah Daily Press”

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Attack of the killer tomatoes? - Tahlequah Daily Press Posted: 29 Dec 2009 08:58 AM PST Published December 29, 2009 10:54 am - Dec. 29, 2009 Attack of the killer tomatoes? But the threat of voracious veggies, even if real, shouldn't affect humans. By BETTY RIDGE Press Special Writer By BETTY RIDGE Press Special Writer Almost everyone has heard tales about, or witnessed, carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap or pitcher plant. And who could forget the movie, "Little Shop of Horrors," in which a particularly aggressive plant tended to gobble up humans? But most of the time, people think of plants as the prey rather than the hunted, the consumed rather than the consumers. Not necessarily so, according to research by scientists at London's Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. The Independent, a London publication, reports in its science section that these plant probers theorize hundreds more plants than previously known can catch and eat insects and other small animals. Among the suspects are the usually mild-mannered tomatoes and potatoes. Also in the lineup is a type of petunia, ornamental tobacco, and shepherd's purse, which is related to cabbage. With tomatoes and potatoes being vital to most diets, people usually think of eating them, rather than them eating something. "Widely recognized carnivorous plants number some 650, and we estimate that another 325 or so are probable additions — an increase of about 50 percent," said Dr. Mike Fay of Kew. Fay and his colleagues performed the research as part of an anniversary of Charles Darwin's 200th birthday. Darwin conducted many experiments with carnivorous plants, feeding them meat, and published a book, "Insectivorous Plants," in 1875. Obviously, for Darwin and later researchers, the concept of survival of the fittest took some unexpected turns. Fay said these plants' lust for a more varied diet probably has been overlooked because they do not have specialized structures to capture and devour their prey, such as those possessed by the Venus flytrap and the pitcher plant. The tomato and potato are more likely to regard meat – if insects may be so termed – as a supplement rather than a dietary mainstay. Anyway, here's how it works: As gardeners who have raised these crops know, they possess sticky hairs on their stems and leaves. These hairs trap aphids and other small creatures. The scientists believe the plants derive nutrition from these beasties when they become stuck, die, decay, and fall to the ground. The plant then absorbs the nutrients that enter the earth. "They catch little aphids on the sticky hairs all the time. As these insects break down and drop to the ground, the ground becomes enriched and the plants absorb them through the roots," Fay said. The scientists concluded that while the plants may gain some nutrition from the decomposed bugs, they do not rely on it because most gardeners supply them with ample fertilizer. Five Filters featured article: Chilcot Inquiry. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

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