Graceilaria Dionaea Muscipula Tulipa – Common Name – Venus Sea Tulip[]
The Venus Sea Tulip is a carnivorous plant found only in a small part of the abyssopelagic zone of the Marina Trench. The mature plant ranges in size from 18-24” tall. The exterior of the bulbous tulip head is fluorescent pink with bioluminescent striping. The interior is black with an acidic gelatinous coating. The stamen ends in a bioluminescent tip similar to the esca of the Anglerfish. The leaves of the Venus Sea Tulip are long and thin, ending in a needle sharp point that contains paralyzing venom. The plant propagates through asexual genetic cloning of the parent plant.
Predation[]
The Venus Sea Tulip ingests the nutrients of the fish it traps. Using pheromones to attract fish from miles around in the lightless deep sea environment, the Venus Sea Tulip draws the fish in using the bioluminescence of the stamen tip. When the prey is over the tip of the stamen it is quickly struck by the poisonous leaves. The petals close over the paralyzed fish and the acidic gelatinous interior coating of the tulip head liquefies the fish into nutrients that are then absorbed through the petals.
Pharmacology Use[]
The Venus Sea Tulip is currently being tested numerous phase 2 trials in the biotech industry. The gelatinous coating has passed phase one trials in the cure for Melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer and is expected to complete phase 2 trials in 2016. The venom is being tested for use in cryobiology.