Luken presents lecture on Venus flytraps

Jim Luken, associate provost of graduate studies and professor of biology at Coastal Carolina University, presented a lecture on the Venus flytrap for the Horry County Museum and the AVX Foundation on April 22.

The Venus flytrap is known worldwide as a carnivorous plant that catches prey with unique snap traps. However, few people know that the Venus flytrap is native to Horry County and that one of the last remaining refuges of the plant occurs here also. The talk covered some fascinating aspects of the species as well as current efforts to conserve remaining populations.

Luken has studied local populations of the Venus flytrap during the last 15 years and is broadly involved in efforts to rescue and preserve rare endemic plant species in Horry County and beyond.