Carnivory in plants appears to have evolved independently in five major angiosperm lineages and six orders: Poales, Caryophyllales, Oxalidales, Ericales, Alismatales and Lamiales.

One common trait found in several Lamiales families that may have led to carnivory is the secretion of proteinase mucilage through leaf surfaces.

This shift may have first occurred in the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of the Lentibulariaceae, introducing absorptive glands that provided additional macronutrients through trapped insects.

The additional source of nutrients may have increased fitness of plants growing in low-nutrient habitats which eventually caused an embrace of carnivory.

Further mapping of traits also suggests the MRCA was terrestrial and possessed a basal rosette composed of flat leaves and a primary root.