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Cilia, plural of cilium, are fine hair-like protrusions typically utilized as mechanical sensors, helping the plant sense the environment and any objects that brush against it. The cells may also be used in regulating or sensing the flow of water. In notable species with visible cilium, such as the Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), the three trigger-hairs inside the lobed trap helps the plant determine that there is prey in the trap and it should snap shut.

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