Dionaea muscipula, commonly known as the Venus Flytrap, is a carnivorous plant native to subtropical wetlands on the East Coast of the United States. It is renowned for its unique jaw-like leaf structures that snap shut to trap and digest insects. This adaptive mechanism helps it thrive in nutrient-poor soils.

Dionaea muscipula, commonly known as the Venus flytrap, is native to the subtropical wetlands of the United States, specifically in North and South Carolina. It is primarily found in a limited area stretching from the eastern coastal plain of North Carolina to northeastern South Carolina.

The Venus flytrap typically inhabits boggy areas with sandy, acidic, and nutrient-poor soil. These environments are characterized by high humidity, ample sunlight, and a temperate climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Seasonal fires and periodic flooding also play a role in maintaining the open, sunny conditions it requires.

Dionaea muscipula occupies a unique ecological niche as a carnivorous plant. Its adaptation to nutrient-poor soil involves capturing and digesting insects to supplement its nutritional needs. The plant's snap trap mechanism is specifically adapted for trapping small arthropods, which provides it with essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that are scarce in its native soil.