Page 60 - Viva ICSE Science 4 : E-book

• Their stems are fl exible and fi lled with air which helps them
move along the fl ow of water.

• Roots fi x these plants in the muddy soil.

• They breathe in and out directly through their body surface.
• Hydrilla, pondweed and tape grass are some underwater

plants.
Hydrilla
TIME TO REVISE

Correct the following statements.
1. Aquatic plants are the plants that grow on land.
2. Floating plants fl oat freely under the surface of water.

3. Underwater plants grow over the surface of water.
4. Fixed plants do not have their roots fi xed at the bottom in the mud.

Some Interesting Adaptations in Plants

Insectivorous plants

There are some unusual plants like Venus fl ytrap and pitcher plant that trap and feed
on insects. These plants are called insectivorous plants. Their leaves are modifi ed to trap
insects.
Did You Know!
The Venus fl ytrap is a small plant with leaves that attract The Venus fl ytrap closes
insects. The leaves have stiff hair along the edges. its leaf only when an
Whenever an insect touches its hair, the leaf shuts instantly insect touches a diff erent
hair within 20 seconds of
trapping it inside. The insect dies inside the shut leaf and
its fi rst touch.
the plant absorbs the nutrients.

The pitcher plant has leaves that are modifi ed into a pitcher-like structure with a lid
containing fl uid. When an insect enters the leaves for fl uid, it gets trapped inside. The

plant then secretes digestive juices which digest the insect.

Venus fl ytrap Pitcher plant

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