The Venus Fly Trap, photo upper left, is an example of the closing trap. The trap leaves consist of two halves resembling a clamshell. Each exhibit a bright reddish color which helps to lure in the prey. Nectar glands along the leaf margins also attract prey. Each inner half has three smaller, finer trigger hairs in a triangular pattern which, when properly stimulated by an exploring insect, initiate trap closure. Once the insect has been captured, the digestive glands secrete juices and absorb nutrients over a span of 3 to 5 days. The trap will reopen after digestion is complete.

Pitfalls, as displayed by Pitcher Plants, are a second type of trapping mechanism found in carnivorous plants. The modified leaves of these plants are tubular, and when the prey is lured to the opening, it enters or falls in and is unable to escape. The inside of the pitcher has a slick, waxy lining and there are numerous hairs pointing downward to prevent escape of the prey. The digestive glands are located at the bottom portion of the pitcher.

Sundews and Butterworts have the flypaper, or adhesive trap, with numerous sticky glands covering the upper portion of the leaf. Small insects become intangled in the sticky "dew" and the leaf then curls up to trap and digest the prey.

The trapdoor is an aquatic trap that has a flaplike door over a small entrance at one end. Bladderworts are an example of carnivorous plants that utilize these types of traps. The traps, or bladders as they are called, are bulb shaped with the opening surrounded by numerous hairs. Prey brushing by the sensitive hairs will send a signal for the bladder to expand, sucking in the prey and for the trapdoor to close.

Flowers of most carnivorous plants take second place in attention to the trap leaves. However, in case of the bladderworts, the flowers may be the most noticable part of the plant, and the part most easily used for identification. The leaves of bladderworts are minute and branching, with the majority of the plant below soil.