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yesterday

Darwin Vindicated: Alpine Saxifraga Confirmed as Insect‑Eating Plant

Researchers show the species digests trapped insects and routes their nitrogen into flowers to boost reproduction in nutrient‑poor mountain rock.

Saxifraga candelabrum uses odors to attract insects and then digests the prey.
A flowering individual of the plant species Saxifraga candelabrum, with numerous insects trapped by its sticky glandular hairs, in this handout picture taken on September 5, 2021 at Wufeng Mountain, Shangri-La, Yunnan, China, released August 4, 2026. Xin-Jian Zhang/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
The plant species Saxifraga candelabrum, which rarely traps larger pollinators such as flies that play an important role in its reproduction, stands in this handout picture taken on September 25, 2024, at Wufeng Mountain, Shangri-La, Yunnan, China, released August 4, 2026. Xian-Jian Zhang/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT
Saxifraga candelabrum grows in its alpine habitat in China.

Overview

  • The study, published Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Nature Communications used field surveys, enzyme assays and stable‑nitrogen labeling to meet the scientific tests for plant carnivory.
  • Teams found insects on 43 of 45 plants and an average of about 71 trapped insects on mature individuals, with sticky glandular hairs and scent attracting small prey.
  • Laboratory assays detected digestive phosphatase activity in the hairs and tracking of nitrogen‑15 from labeled fruit flies proved the plant absorbs prey nutrients into its tissues.
  • Prey‑derived nitrogen concentrated most strongly in flowers, which fits the species’ single‑time reproduction strategy and suggests insects help fuel seed production.
  • Authors say the finding is the first confirmed carnivory in the Saxifragales order and raises the chance that other insect‑trapping species remain undiscovered on the Qinghai‑Tibet Plateau.