SafePlants

Sundews: Nature's Ingenious Insect Traps

Sundews, belonging to the genus Drosera, are fascinating carnivorous plants known for their sticky, tentacled leaves that trap unsuspecting insects. These plants exhibit a remarkable diversity of trapping mechanisms and adaptations, making them a captivating subject for botanical study.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Drosera (genus)
• Common Name: Sundew

Distribution and Habitat

• Sundews boast a wide distribution, found from Alaska to New Zealand.
• They thrive in diverse environments, including Australia, South Africa, and even hot, humid regions of Georgia (USA).
• Australia is a hotspot for sundew diversity, with a dense concentration of various species.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Sundews are carnivorous plants with specialized leaves for trapping insects.
• Some species, like Drosera glanduligera, possess "snap-tentacles" for rapid prey capture.
• Pygmy sundews are characterized by their miniature size and asexual reproduction through gemmae.
• Many Australian sundews are tuberous, growing from bulb-like storage systems.
• Drosera spatulata features tiny, paddle-like leaves covered in sticky goo.
• Drosera peltata is a perennial tuberous herb with an underground tuber.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Sundews attract and trap insects using their sticky leaves.
• The sundew's carnivorous nature allows it to supplement its nutrient intake by digesting captured prey.

Specific Sundew Species and Varieties Mentioned

• Drosera binata var. multifida cv. "Extrema" (Australian fork-leaved Sundew)
• Drosera glanduligera (Sundew plant from southern Australia with a "flower" trap)
• Drosera aliciae (Australian sundew)
• Drosera anglica (English sundew)
• Drosera capensis
• Drosera indica
• Drosera spatulata
• Drosera stolonifera (Leafy Sundew)
• Drosera rotundifolia L. var. comosa Fernald – roundleaf sundew