Mechanism of Venus Flytrap closure described.

[NNadir]

"PARIS (AFP) - American and French scientists believed they have explained how one of nature's marvels, the Venus flytrap, snaps shut to snare its victims.


The plant -- described by Charles Darwin as "one of the most wonderful in the world" -- is able to enclose a fly within its clamshell-shaped leaves in just 100 milliseconds, faster than the eye can blink.


Scientists have long wondered how the flytrap (Latin name Dionaea muscipula) is able to do this spectacular feat..."


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1540&ncid=1540&e=9&u=/afp/20050126/sc_afp/sciencespeciesflytrap_050126193132

[tridim]

1. Interesting, but why did it take them so long to figure that out

It seems like something that would have been studied hundreds of years ago.

I'd also like to know what evolutionary process caused the plant to require protein. I assume it uses photosynthesis too.