UPSC Prelims 2008 Q30: Science & Technology – Biology

UPSC Prelims 2008, General Studies Paper I · Science & Technology

Which one of the following is an insectivorous plant?

Answer: (b) Pitcher plant

Explanation

Identifying the insectivorous plant

Among these four plants, only one has evolved to trap and digest insects for nutrition.

Option	Verdict	Reason
(a) Passion flower plant	Incorrect	Not an insectivorous plant
(b) Pitcher plant	Correct	The Pitcher plant has specialized pitcher-shaped leaves that trap and digest insects, adapted to nutrient-poor soils
(c) Night queen	Incorrect	Not an insectivorous plant; known for its fragrant night-blooming flowers
(d) Flame of the forest	Incorrect	Not an insectivorous plant; a flowering tree

Pitcher plant facts:

Point	Detail
Mechanism	Pitcher-shaped leaves trap insects
Habitat	Nutrient-poor soils, supplementing nitrogen via insect digestion

Answer: (b) Pitcher plant.

(a) Incorrect. The passion flower plant is not insectivorous.
(b) CORRECT. The Pitcher plant traps and digests insects, a genuine insectivorous species.
(c) Incorrect. Night queen is a fragrant flowering plant, not insectivorous.
(d) Incorrect. Flame of the forest is a flowering tree, not insectivorous.

The Pitcher plant is the insectivorous species among these four, using its specialized pitcher-shaped leaves to trap and digest insects.

The Pitcher plant is an insectivorous plant.

Confusing ornamental/fragrant plants (Night queen, Flame of the forest) with genuinely insectivorous ones.
Not knowing the Pitcher plant's specific trapping mechanism.
Assuming any unusual-looking plant could be insectivorous without verification.

Pitcher plant = classic insectivorous plant, trapping insects via its specialized leaf structure.