The Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a carnivorous plant, instantly recognizable by its hinged, jaw-like leaves that snap shut to capture prey. Native to the bogs and wetlands of the Carolinas, its rapid trapping mechanism has captivated people for centuries, leading to a variety of names reflecting its striking appearance and function. Understanding these names reveals a history that moves from formal scientific classification to common terms and modern cultivar designations.
The Formal Scientific Name
The foundational name for this species is Dionaea muscipula, established by the botanist John Ellis in 1768. This binomial name follows the Linnaean system of classification, with the first part designating the genus and the second the species.
The genus name, Dionaea, references Greek mythology, specifically Dione, the mother of Aphrodite. Since Venus was the Roman counterpart to Aphrodite, the name linked the plant to the goddess of love and beauty. The species epithet, muscipula, is Latin for both “mousetrap” and “flytrap.” Ellis chose the common name “Venus’s Flytrap,” but the Latin choice preserves the alternative interpretation of the plant’s grasping structure.
Historical Common Names and Nicknames
Before the standard common name was adopted, the plant was known by several descriptive monikers. The earliest written account by Governor Arthur Dobbs in 1760 referred to it as the “Fly-trap Sensitive,” highlighting its ability to capture insects and its rapid movement. This name acknowledged the plant’s dual nature as both a trap and a responsive organism.
Another historically used name was “Venus’s Mousetrap,” a literal translation of the species epithet. The most provocative nickname was “tipitiwitchet” or “tippity twitchet,” a colloquial term used by botanists like John Bartram. This informal name was a crude reference to the appearance of the two hinged lobes, but the cleaner “Venus Flytrap” ultimately became the standard, universally recognized common name.
Naming Specific Cultivars and Varieties
Modern cultivation and selective breeding have led to the creation of numerous distinct, named varieties, known as cultivars. These names are formally registered and distinguish plants based on specific, stable physical traits that differ from the typical species. The names often reflect the characteristic breeders sought to enhance, such as size, color, or the shape of the marginal spines.
Cultivars with extreme coloration are frequently named after red objects or mythical creatures, like ‘Akai Ryu’ (‘Red Dragon’), or ‘Royal Red,’ which is suffused with a deep burgundy pigment. Other cultivars are named for their size, such as ‘B52,’ which produces some of the largest traps of any cultivated variety. Cultivars focusing on trap structure include ‘Dentate Traps’ or ‘Sawtooth,’ where the leaf margins are reduced to short, triangular teeth.
Creative Ideas for Naming Your Individual Plant
While formal names and cultivar designations are registered for scientific and commercial purposes, many owners enjoy giving their individual plant a personalized, informal name. These names often draw inspiration from the plant’s carnivorous nature or its jaw-like anatomy. Names based on mythology or fiction are popular choices, such as ‘Medusa’ or ‘Audrey II,’ referencing other famous botanical predators.
Other owners prefer names that reflect the plant’s behavior, like ‘Snapper,’ ‘Chomper,’ or ‘Fang.’ Observing a specific plant’s color or growth habit can also inspire a unique name, such as ‘The Green Giant’ for a particularly large specimen or ‘Ruby’ for one with deep red traps. Ultimately, the choice of a personal name is a fun way to acknowledge the plant as a distinctive member of the household.