Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Curling Roses


"Notice the way the central petals curl inward after its prey has been lured within by the sweet scent." The tour guide said, motioning toward a large pink spotted flower, which had all its petals tucked in so that the grooves at the edges of each petal were interlocked. The flower shook every so often, as whatever was trapped within fought to get free.
"That same sweet smell will soon fill the inner flower, causing the prey's muscles to relax until they can no longer support the prey's efforts to escape. Once the flower senses a decrease of movement in the prey, it will release digestive enzymes and begin consumption of its meal."
The flower wasn't shaking anymore. As the tour guide led the group on to another part of the complex, I glanced back at the field of drooping flowers. The inside of the petals blended perfectly with the field, and the center looked like a pink rose bush. You couldn't really notice the petals the curled underneath and along the ground, and I guessed that they must have developed a texture that mimics the ground these plants grow in.
You really wouldn't notice that trap until it was sprung, especially in  the dark.
"Come along, dear! You don't want to be left alone in a field of curling roses." The second tour guide, who'd always stayed at the back of our group, called to me.
As I hurried after them, I couldn't help but think that the flowers did smell nice.

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