Constrictor Plant



Background

Constrictor plant is a type of flora found in the episode” The monsters of Mongo” in the series of Flash Gordon comics. It is seen in this episode that princess Aura is captured by the Constrictor plant as she tries to escape from the clutches of the Squadron. The constrictor plant lifts her up from the ground and she tries to wiggle herself out. 

Biology 

Appearance 

Constrictor plants have long slender leaves that can grow at least a meter long. These leaves contain sharp edges which are possibly used for cutting and slicing. The leaves move around like tentacles to capture enemy at a certain degree of radius. The leaves are colored green and contain a middle vein. Constrictors have a long woody and twisted trunk going down to the roots. The roots are attached to the ground firmly with some woody tendrils that of a vine.

Behavior 

Constrictor plants are carnivorous plants. It can be seen in their physical characteristics that they need sharp movable leaves to capture other organisms. The leaves are capable of piercing through skin and several tissues that eventually leads to death of organisms death by laceration. The leaves may contain chemicals or enzyme and as time passes by, the organism caught will slowly be digested. Aside from that Constrictor plants are also able to photosynthesize their own food because they may contain chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a pigment that gives the leaves of these plants a green color. Constrictor plants exhibit thigmotropism. This can be seen as organisms gets too close to the plant. It well eventually release its leaves to entangle the organism.