While there are many ways to spell "Venus's", we have now, after much study, chosen to drop the extra "s" for simplicity. Other plants named after Venus (the Goddess) include:
Venus' Looking-glass (Specularia)
Venus' Comb (Scandix)
Venus'-Hair Fern (Adiantum)
"Venus Fly Trap" is not really correct as it is not possessive and incorrectly implies (grammatically) that the plant is from Venus. This spelling is common, even in books.
This amazing plant is a native to a small region in the Carolinas. The Venus' Fly Trap has fascinated people throughout history, including Thomas Jefferson, who corresponded with Timothy Bloodworth in order to obtain seeds of this most unusual plant. It is hardy to zone 7, we have over wintered them outside in our Central Virginia bog gardens for many years. Fly Traps grow well in the partial shade cast by the taller Sarracenia. Not recommended for indoor or terrarium culture, due to dormancy requirements. The all-red selection 'Akai Ryu' = Red Dragon was developed at Atlanta Botanical Garden. Gets dark red all over in strong sun (photo). There are many selected forms of Dionaea, many with unusual trap shapes. Colors often change with light levels, seasons and temperatures. Spring growth is usually longer while late season growth is more compact.
Close-up of Fly Trap "trigger Hairs"
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