Fly trap, flytrap or Fly Trap?
The question is, are they called “Venus Fly Traps”, “Venus Flytraps”, “Venus fly traps” or “Venus flytraps”?
Well, all of them are acceptable! Here on flytrapgrowing.info we refer to them as Venus flytraps, but that’s purely for consistency across the site. Many other websites and books refer to them by the other variations of the name If you want to be 100% correct, then it’s best to refer to the plant by it’s full name of Dionaea muscipula Soland. ex Ellis.
More information about the formal latin name of the Venus flytrap is available on our Taxonomy page.
The Original Little Shop of Horrors
The mighty Venus flytrap rose to prominence in popular culture in the 1960’s film, The Little Shop of Horrors. Directed by Roger Corman and written by Charles B. Griffith, the film is a farce about an inadequate young florist’s assistant who cultivates a plant that feeds on human blood and flesh.
Although the film didn’t get very much attention when it was originally released, it has since grown to cult classic status, thanks to its low budget and original style of humor. The film inspired a 1982 stage musical, and a 1986 feature film.
How did the Venus flytrap get its name?
I’ve always been told that the Venus flytrap got it’s name due to the shear white beauty of it’s flowers, just like the goddess/planet Venus. The flytrap part is obviously from it’s twisted fly eating ways.
However
Barry Rice has an interesting article on the real reason for the name Venus flytrap.
Barry claims that the name is due to the “dirty minds of the kooky naturalists and nurserymen” and that “they saw in its amazing behavior and attractive form” … “something that reminded them of female genitalia of their own species.”
Jeepers, that’s a heck of a statement. But Barry can backup his claims …
Visit his website to learn more about where the name “Venus Flytrap” came from … Barry’s website.
The painting is “The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli.
Little Shop of Horrors Remake
The Little Shop of Horrors film was re-release in 1986. The film was directed by Frank Oz (puppeteer for Yoda and Miss Piggy). The movie was shot in England with a budget of US$30 million. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song for “Mean Green Mother from Outer Space”. It caused a small controversy because it was the first Oscar-nominated song to contain profanity and thus had to be censored for the show.
Spoiler
A nerdy young florist’s assistant named Seymour Krelborn (Rick Moranis) discovers a mysterious new plant that came from outer space during a solar eclipse. He names the plant “Audrey II,” because he secretly has a crush on his co-worker Audrey (Ellen Greene). The plant improves business at Mister Mushnik’s (Vincent Gardenia) failing skid-row flower shop, and Seymour becomes a local celebrity. However, late at night when the shop is deserted, Seymour accidentally cuts open his fingers and discovers that the only way to make Audrey II grow is to feed it with human blood.