‘Alien’ plant brought to life on Earth

IT looks like the gaping bloody jaws of an alien monster, but it is actually a carnivorous plant that can capture insects.

The flesh-eating hybrid has been created by Matthew Kaelin, a US horticulturalist, and named after HR Giger, the Swiss surrealist painter, sculptor and set designer who created the terrifying creature in Ridley Scott’s film Alien and its follow-ups.

Giger, who died last May, won an Oscar for the visual effects he achieved in the films, which included the alien bursting through the chest of John Hurt.

“When viewed extremely close and at an angle, the intersection of the peristome teeth and the lid spikes of the cultivar create a frightening alien landscape akin to those imagined by Giger,” said Kaelin.

“This, and because the plant is darkly coloured and has such a nightmarish appearance, made me feel that it would be fitting to name the cultivar for him.”

The Nepenthes HR Giger is a type of pitcher plant and was bred from two other varieties. Its central structure is about 15cm tall.

Pitcher plants trap flies and crawling insects, which are lured into its open “mouth” by the promise of nectar.

On the outside the plant is ridged and easy to climb, but the rim of the pitcher is slippery, causing insects to fall inside. The plants also have downward pointing hairs to prevent insects climbing out.

Liquid at the bottom of the pitcher drowns the victims and gradually dissolves their bodies using enzymes secreted by the plant so it can absorb their nutrients.

The new hybrid has yellow and red stripes to attract its prey plus dark brown spots and frontal “wings” that act as ladders for crawling creatures.

The largest species of pitcher plant yet discovered — known to swallow rats — was named after TV naturalist David Attenborough. — © The