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Extreme effects of depressions within plants : the ultrafast Utricularia trap and cavitation in trees
Plants can generate intense depressions in their internal liquids. In a first part, we will show an unusual effect of this depression : the capture of prey animals in the suction traps of bladderworts (Utricularia). The stored depression is relaxed in less than a millisecond, which entails fluid suction with accelerations up to 600g, leaving little escape chances for prey animals. The release of energy is the consequence of a remarkable valve at the entrance of the trap. In a second part, we will consider an adverse effect of too high depressions : the cavitation of sap in trees, which creates embolies and stops sap circulation. We will focus on the dynamics and statistics of this phenomenon.
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