The fast motion of the snap-traps of the terrestrial Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) have been intensively studied, in contrast to the tenfold faster underwater snap-traps of its phylogenetic sister, the waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa). Based on biomechanical and functional-morphological analyses and on a reverse biomimetic approach via mechanical modelling and computer simulations, we identify a combination of hydraulic turgor change and the release of prestress stored in the trap as essential for actuation. Our study is the first to identify and analyse in detail the motion principle of Aldrovanda, which not only leads to a deepened understanding of fast plant movements in general, but also contributes to the question of how snap-traps may have evolved and also allows for the development of novel biomimetic compliant mechanisms.

Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies Georges Koehler Allee 105 79110 Freiburg im Breisgau Germany

Freiburg Materials Research Center University of Freiburg 79104 Freiburg Germany

Institute for Structural Mechanics University of Stuttgart Pfaffenwaldring 7 70550 Stuttgart Germany

Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences Dukelská 135 379 82 Třeboň Czech Republic

Plant Biomechanics Group and Botanic Garden University of Freiburg Schänzlestraße 1 79104 Freiburg Germany

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figshare
10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4079963