Saxifraga candelabrum Traps and Digest Midges, Confirming Darwin's Prediction

A recent study has confirmed a long‑standing hypothesis about the alpine plant Saxifraga candelabrum, showing that it can trap and digest insects. Researchers observed that the plant’s leaves, petals and stems are covered in fine, sticky hairs that secrete a sweet glue. This adhesive lures small midges, which become stuck to the hairs and are subsequently broken down by digestive enzymes produced by the plant.

The findings echo Charles Darwin’s 1875 prediction that S. candelabrum could feed on insects. Darwin noted the plant’s dense, sticky trichomes and suggested they might serve a carnivorous function. The new research provides the first empirical evidence that the glue not only captures prey but also facilitates digestion, confirming Darwin’s speculation about the plant’s evolutionary adaptation to nutrient‑poor alpine soils.

This discovery expands the known diversity of insect‑eating plants and underscores the importance of historical scientific conjecture. By validating Darwin’s early insight, the study highlights how detailed field observations can lead to breakthroughs in understanding plant‑insect interactions and the evolutionary strategies of alpine flora.