Plants & Fungi A - Z

Explore our profiles of plants and fungi.

These illustrated profiles contain a wealth of facts, including details on conservation, uses and habitats – as well as Kew’s connections with the species. They have been chosen to inspire interest in plants, detail our science and conservation work and showcase star plants in the Gardens.

This is a constantly growing resource with new profiles added every week - so do be sure to check back regularly.

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Dionaea muscipula (Venus flytrap)

The Venus flytrap “eats” insects and sometimes even small frogs that become trapped in its modified, toothed leaves; if the prey struggles, the trap will close even tighter.

More: Carnivorous, Out of the ordinary, Ornamentals, House plants

Heliamphora nutans (Venezuelan marsh pitcher)

Venezuelan marsh pitcher is a carnivorous plant from the mountains of Venezuela and Guyana. It has short cone-shaped pitchers with a small lid and nodding white flowers.

More: Carnivorous, Ornamentals

Nepenthes bicalcarata (fanged pitcher plant)

Nepenthes bicalcarata, a distinctively ‘fanged’ pitcher plant from Borneo, has a mutually beneficial relationship with ants living inside its tendrils.

More: Amazing adaptations, Carnivorous, Ornamentals, Out of the ordinary

Nepenthes rajah

Famous as the rat-trapping pitcher plant, Nepenthes rajah has some of the largest pitchers in the genus Nepenthes.

More: Carnivorous, Out of the ordinary, Great plant hunters

Nepenthes robcantleyi (Robert Cantley’s pitcher plant)

A pitcher plant from the Philippines, description of Nepenthes robcantleyi was based on plants known from only a single location, where the forest has since been cut down.

More: Carnivorous, Amazing adaptations, Kew discoveries