Darwin Vindicated: Alpine Saxifraga candelabrum Proves Carnivory in Plants

A Nature Communications study shows Saxifraga candelabrum, an alpine flowering plant in China, lures insects with flower odors and digests them using a phosphatase enzyme, transferring nitrogen to the plant—confirming Darwin’s 19th‑century hunch about carnivory in the Saxifraga lineage. Genetic analysis reveals shared carnivory‑related genes across different plant groups, suggesting carnivory is more widespread among flowering plants than previously thought. Found in nitrate‑poor, high‑altitude soils, S. candelabrum’s discovery expands our understanding of plant evolution and may help identify other hidden carnivorous lineages; the work underscores that Darwin’s ideas can be refined and extended with modern techniques."