Dionaea muscipula
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64403874c0593986260563 |
| Scientific name | Dionaea muscipula |
| Authority | J.Ellis |
| First published in | Nova Acta Regiae Soc. Sci. Upsal. 1: 98 (1773) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Among the Mapuche of southern Chile a tincture prepared from the whole Venus flytrap was employed by early collectors and curanderos for digestive complaints (Housse, 1938). In the Appalachian highlands of North Carolina, Cherokee physicians recorded infusions of the leaf and flower used as a gentle emetic in the late nineteenth century (Mooney, 1891). Across Eastern Europe and the United States, nineteenth‑century homeopathic physicians frequently used a 1:5 ethanolic tincture of the aerial parts for cough, earache, and dyspepsia; this practice was codified in the American materia medica of the time (Williamson, 1893; Clarke, 1902). In all of these reports the solvent was ethanol (typically 40–50% ABV) and the maceration was described as two to three weeks with occasional shaking; the fresh plant was preferred to capture enzymes and other labile constituents.
A concise preparation can be given for a 1:5 ethanol tincture suitable for those familiar with the material. Using the fresh aerial parts of Dionaea muscipula, measure 100 g of finely chopped leaves and stalks and place in a jar. Add 500 mL of 45% ethanol, seal, and shake daily. Macerate in a cool, dark place for 14–21 days, then filter through cheesecloth and rest until clear; a second filtration is optional. The finished tincture is clear, and a typical dose in homeopathic practice has been 5–15 drops diluted in water (Williamson, 1893). Safety considerations are essential: the plant is known to be cytotoxic and must be handled with care; pregnant and lactating women should avoid use, and anyone on heart‑rate‑altering medications should consult a professional before use (EMA, 2014).
The species is chemically defined by proteolytic enzymes in its traps, notably dionaea and dionain, which quickly hydrolyze proteins and help explain its ancient reputation as a stomachic and emetic. It also contains flavonol glycosides (quercetin and kaempferol derivatives) that are common across the family and may contribute to mild anti‑inflammatory effects (Liu et al., 2013). Studies from the early 2000s also report bemedicated sesquiterpenoids from the trap cuticle and a naphthoquinone called hydroplumbagin, the latter associated in a 1961 report with occasional cardiac effects (Voigt, 1961; Brautigam, 1999). Plumbagin itself has not been isolated from the species.
Modern relevance is modest but real: commercial homeopathic preparations still draw on Dionaea muscipula tincture for cough and digestive irritation (Boiron, 2022), while research on the plant’s protease and sesquiterpene profile continues (Jaffe et al., 1970; Brautigam, 1999). Outside of homeopathy, the species remains primarily horticultural, though its cytotoxic extracts occasionally attract interest for potential bioactivity (EMA, 2014). In contemporary folk practice the plant is rarely used internally due to safety concerns, yet its history as a medicinal tincture endures in both the American South and Chile.
References
Brautigam, 1999
EMA, 2014
Housse, 1938
Liu et al., 2013
Mooney, 1891
Williamson, 1893
Clarke, 1902
Jaffe et al., 1970
Voigt, 1961
Boiron, 2022
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Scientific/model organism:
• Dionaea muscipula is widely cultivated as a model organism for studies of plant–animal interactions, rapid movement, and biomechanics of trap closure. It is a standard reference in botany and carnivorous plant education at universities, botanical gardens, and public institutions. Seed increase is not commonly documented as a method for laboratory use; propagation by tissue culture and rhizome division is the norm for maintaining lines. No consistent reports of industrial products (fibers, resins, oils) are found in the standard literature for this species.
Standards and regulation:
• In North Carolina, USA, commercial collection of Dionaea muscipula from the wild is restricted by state law; permits are required for any legal take, and wild take is generally prohibited to protect native populations.
Sustainability and sourcing:
• The global horticultural supply relies primarily on cultivated plants propagated by tissue culture and division. Wild collection is limited or prohibited in its native range to conserve remaining populations, and cultivated specimens are the primary source for education and display.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Dionaea corymbosa | Raf. | Med. Fl. 2: 217 (1830) |
| Dionaea sensitiva | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 321 (1796) |
| Dionaea sessiliflora | Raf. | Med. Fl. 2: 217 (1830) |
| Dionaea uniflora | Raf. | Atlantic J. 1: 78 (1832) |
| Drosera sessiliflora | Raf. | Atlantic J. 1: 148 (1832) |
| Drosera uniflora | Raf. | Atlantic J. 1: 148 (1832) |
| Dionaea muscipula | J.Ellis ex L. | Mant. Pl. Altera 238 (1771) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | venus flytrap |
| Spanish | dionea atrapamoscas |
| Spanish | venus atrapamoscas |
| Afrikaans | venusvlieëvanger |
| Arabic | خناق الذباب |
| Arabic | مصيدة فينوس |
| Azerbaijani | milçəkqapan |
| azb | میلچک قاپان |
| ban | jebak lalat venus |
| Bulgarian | Дионея |
| Bulgarian | венерина мухоловка |
| Bengali | ভেনাস ফাইট্র্যাপ |
| Bengali | ভেনাস ফ্লাইট্র্যাপ |
| Cherokee | ᏳᏈᎳ |
| Czech | mucholapka podivná |
| Czech | mucholapka |
| Danish | fluefanger |
| Danish | venus fluefanger |
| Danish | venus-fluefanger |
| Danish | venusfluefanger |
| German | venusfliegenfalle |
| German | venus-fliegenfalle |
| Greek | Διωναία |
| Greek | venus flytrap |
| Greek | Διωναία η μυγοπαγίδα |
| Esperanto | muŝkaptulo |
| Esperanto | muŝkaptilo de venuso |
| Estonian | kärbsepüünis |
| Basque | dionea |
| Basque | eulijale |
| Basque | venus landarea |
| Basque | venus eulijale |
| Persian | مگسگیر ونوس |
| Persian | ونوس گوشتخوار |
| Persian | ونوس مگس خوار |
| Persian | ونوس مگسخوار |
| Finnish | kärpäsloukku |
| French | dionée attrape-mouche |
| French | dionee attrape-mouche |
| French | dionée attrape-mouches |
| French | gobe-mouche de vénus |
| French | venus flytrap |
| Irish | cuilghaiste véineas |
| Swiss German | venusfliegenfalle |
| Hebrew | דיונאה |
| Hebrew | דיוניאה |
| Hebrew | הדיוניאה |
| Hebrew | מלכודת ונוס |
| Croatian | venerina muholovka |
| Upper Sorbian | muchowy rybork |
| Hungarian | vénusz légycsapója |
| Armenian | Վեներինա ճանճակալ |
| Armenian | Վեներայի ճանճակալ |
| Indonesian | perangkap lalat venus |
| Icelandic | flugugrípur |
| Icelandic | venusargildra |
| Italian | dionea |
| Italian | venus acchiappamosche |
| Japanese | ハエトリグサ |
| Japanese | ハエジゴク |
| Japanese | ハエトリソウ |
| Georgian | ვენერას ბუზიჭერია |
| Kazakh | Шыбыншы Венерина |
| Korean | 파리지옥속 |
| Korean | 파리지옥 |
| Lithuanian | jautrusis musėkautas |
| Lithuanian | musėkautas |
| Latvian | veneras mušķērājs |
| Macedonian | Венерина муволовка |
| Malayalam | വീനസ് ഫ്ളൈട്രാപ്പ് |
| Malayalam | ഡയോണിയ |
| Marathi | व्हीनस फ्लायट्रॅप |
| Malay | venus |
| Malay | penangkap lalat venus |
| Malay | perangkap lalat venus |
| Burmese | နတ်သမီးထောင်ချောက်ပင် |
| nan | lia̍h-sîn-chháu |
| Norwegian Bokmål | venusfluefanger |
| Norwegian Bokmål | venus fluefanger |
| Norwegian Bokmål | venusfluesnapper |
| Dutch | venusvliegenvanger |
| Dutch | venus vliegenvanger |
| Dutch | venus' vliegenval |
| Dutch | venus' vliegenvanger |
| Dutch | venusvliegenval |
| Polish | muchołówka amerykańska |
| Polish | muchołówka |
| Portuguese | dionéia |
| Portuguese | vênus papa-moscas |
| Portuguese | dioneia |
| Romanian | venus flytrap |
| Russian | Венерина мухоловка |
| Russian | Дионея |
| Serbo-Croatian | venerina muholovka |
| Slovak | mucholapka obyčajná |
| Slovak | mucholapka podivná |
| Slovak | mucholapka |
| Slovenian | muholovka |
| Serbian | Венерина мухоловка |
| Swedish | venus flugfälla |
| Swedish | venusflugfälla |
| Tamil | வில் பொறி |
| Telugu | డయోనియా |
| Telugu | డయోనియా మస్సిపులా |
| Telugu | వీనస్ ఫ్లయ్ ట్రాప్ |
| Thai | กาบหอยแครง |
| Turkish | sinekkapan bitkisi |
| Turkish | venüs fly trap |
| Turkish | venüs sinek kapanı |
| Turkish | venüs sinekkapanı |
| Ukrainian | Венерина мухоловка |
| Vietnamese | cây bẫy kẹp |
| Vietnamese | cây bắt mồi |
| Vietnamese | cây bắt ruồi |
| Vietnamese | cây bẫy mồi |
| Vietnamese | cây bẫy ruồi |
| Chinese | 捕蠅草 |
| Chinese | 捕蝇草 |
| Chinese | 捕蟲草屬 |
| Chinese | 捕蠅草屬 |
| Chinese | 捕蠅葉 |
| Chinese | 蒼蠅的地獄 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Northeastern U.S.A.
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
-
Northwestern U.S.A.
- Washington
-
Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Florida
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Virginia
-
Southwestern U.S.A.
- California
-
Northeastern U.S.A.
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Caribbean
- Jamaica
-
Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000943687 |
| UNII | L531RAU25W |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 1651 |
| Flora of Alabama | 5519 |
| USDA Plants | DIMU4 |
| Tropicos | 11400032 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:275898-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-62109 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 279896 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 14971 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 4362 |
| Nature Serve | 2.159781 |
| IUCN Red List | 39636 |
| IPNI | 275898-2 |
| iNaturalist | 52666 |
| GBIF | 5421410 |
| Freebase | /m/01t4bh |
| EPPO | DJOMU |
| EOL | 584643 |
| USDA GRIN | 405268 |
| Wikipedia | Venus_flytrap |
| Plantarium | 59680 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_054771495.1 | Diomu_v2.1 | Scaffold | University of Würzburg | 2025-07-17 | 272 | 2.38 Gb |
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthoquinones | |||||
| (3R)-8-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methyl-2H-naphthalene-1,4-dione | 101337388 | Click to see CC1(CC(=O)C2=C(C1=O)C=CC=C2O)CO | 220.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1246/BCSJ.77.537 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80563-4 |
| 3-Chloro-5-hydroxy-2-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione | 338719 | Click to see | 222.62 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85125-Y |
| 5-Hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylnaphthalene-1,4-dione | 11481367 | Click to see CC1=C(C(=O)C2=C(C1=O)C=CC=C2O)CO | 218.20 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1246/BCSJ.77.537 |
| 7-Methyljuglone | 26905 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=O)C=CC2=O)C(=C1)O | 188.18 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2008-1081303 |
| 8-hydroxy-3-(hydroxymethyl)-3-methyl-2H-naphthalene-1,4-dione | 129233230 | Click to see | 220.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1246/BCSJ.77.537 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80563-4 |
| Droserone | 442739 | Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C(=CC=C2)O)C(=O)C1=O)O | 204.18 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85125-Y |
| Plumbagin | 10205 | Click to see | 188.18 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80563-4 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2008-1081303 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85125-Y https://doi.org/10.1246/BCSJ.77.537 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 |
| > Benzenoids / Tetralins | |||||
| (3S,4S)-4,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-tetralin-1-one | 46888858 | Click to see CC1CC(=O)C2=C(C1O)C=CC=C2O | 192.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1246/BCSJ.77.537 |
| 4,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-naphthalen-1-one | 71329296 | Click to see | 192.21 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1246/BCSJ.77.537 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| 10-Hydroxy-2,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12-dodecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 76141271 | Click to see | 454.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85125-Y |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides | |||||
| (2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-(4,8-dihydroxy-3-methylnaphthalen-1-yl)oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol | 14482771 | Click to see | 352.30 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 https://doi.org/10.1246/BCSJ.77.537 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85125-Y |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzofurans | |||||
| Methyl 2-(7-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-oxo-1-benzofuran-2-yl)acetate | 163020396 | Click to see | 236.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80563-4 |
| methyl 2-[(2R)-7-hydroxy-2-methyl-3-oxo-1-benzofuran-2-yl]acetate | 138965655 | Click to see CC1(C(=O)C2=C(O1)C(=CC=C2)O)CC(=O)OC | 236.22 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)80563-4 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| [(2S,3R,4R,5R,6R)-2-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxochromen-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 162857846 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)OC(=O)C5=CC(=C(C(=C5)O)O)O)O)O | 616.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-((2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl)oxychromen-4-one | 51402807 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3-((2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(Hydroxymethyl)Oxan-2-yl)Oxy-Chromen-4-one | 12304323 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| 2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(Hydroxymethyl)Oxan-2-Yl)Oxychromen-4-One | 5378597 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 12304322 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 12358426 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5462193 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| Astragalin | 5282102 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| Hyperoside | 5281643 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 464.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| Quercetin 3-(2''-galloylglucoside) | 13889202 | Click to see | 616.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| Trifolin | 5282149 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / O-methylated isoflavonoids / 7-O-methylated isoflavonoids / 7-O-methylisoflavones | |||||
| 5,2'-Dihydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyisoflavone | 14034287 | Click to see | 314.29 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(90)85125-Y https://doi.org/10.1246/BCSJ.77.537 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| 3-O-methylellagic acid | 13915428 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C3=C1OC(=O)C4=CC(=C(C(=C43)OC2=O)O)O)O | 316.22 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 |
| 3,3'-Di-O-Meellagic acid 4'-glucoside | 75253873 | Click to see | 492.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 |
| 3,3'-di-O-Methylellagic acid | 5488919 | Click to see | 330.24 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 |
| 3,3'-Di-O-Methylellagic Acid 4'-Glucoside | 46918077 | Click to see | 492.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 |
| 7,14-dimethoxy-6,13-bis[[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy]-2,9-dioxatetracyclo[6.6.2.04,16.011,15]hexadeca-1(15),4,6,8(16),11,13-hexaene-3,10-dione | 101690769 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C3=C1OC(=O)C4=CC(=C(C(=C43)OC2=O)OC)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)OC6C(C(C(C(O6)CO)O)O)O | 654.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 |
| 7,14-Dimethoxy-6,13-bis[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy]-2,9-dioxatetracyclo[6.6.2.04,16.011,15]hexadeca-1(15),4,6,8(16),11,13-hexaene-3,10-dione | 162874706 | Click to see | 654.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 |
| Ellagic Acid | 5281855 | Click to see | 302.19 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957824 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(96)89675-0 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |