International Carnivorous Plant Society

Relationships & Evolution

Evolution of the Caryophyllales Carnivores

Drosera, Dionaea, Aldrovanda, Nepenthes, Drosophyllum, and Triphyophyllum are all closely related.

Nepenthes Phylogeny

The closest relatives of Nepenthes are sticky-leaved carnivores and plants that evolved to become non-carnivores.

Drosera Phylogeny

The Drosera phylogeny goes so far back in the dim past that we cannot tell how they diverged from their closest relatives.

Drosera Chromosomes

Drosera has a type of chromosome that is very uncommon in nature. That plus the usual suspects of chromosomal dynamics helped create this very diverse genus.

Drosera Hybrids

Drosera hybrids happen in the wild and contribute to the evolution of new species.


Many Drosera species kill their own pollen if it lands on their stigma. This is actually quite common among flowering plants.

Evolution of the Lamiales Carnivores

In the Lamiales there is a progression of trap types from sticky traps to the most complicated of carnivore traps.

Utricularia Phylogeny

The Utricularia phylogeny shows the itinerary a world traveller.

Evolution of the Ericales Carnivores

The next time you eat a kiwi fruit, you will be eating the fruit of a close relative of the Ericales carnivores.

Evolution of the Oxalidales Carnivore

Cephalotus is the only species in its family. It's closest relative is Oxalis.