Overview
The sundew is a carnivorous plant more widespread than the famous Venus fly trap or the pitcher plant. There are over 100 species of the sundew (Drosera)--more than other insect-eating plants.
Geography
The Drosera species is found across the planet. Sundews prefer temperate or tropical regions; the only area they are not present is Antartica.
Identification
Sundews have a typical basal rosette structure with leaves at the ground level that circle the growing stalk. The leaves have red tips and "hairs" that produce a gluelike liquid to trap insects.
Diet
Sundew plants eat many species of insects. Smaller plants can trap and digest small insects such as gnats, while larger sundews can capture moths and even butterflies.
Famous Ties
Charles Darwin kept a variety of Drosera plants for experimentation. He fed the plants insects, vegetables, raw beef and even poison to study the effects.
Fun Fact
Sundew plants can be hardy houseplants. Kept inside, the sundew has been proclaimed as an insect reducer effective against the mosquito and common housefly.
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drosera
- Free Books Online: Wild Flowers Worth Knowing
- Insectivorous Plants; Charles Darwin
- Video of Sundew Trapping an Insect
Keywords:
sundew, Drosera, carnivorous plants
About this Author
Julia has been writing professionally for 4 years and has appeared in WNY Family, Baton Rouge Family, Unique Magazine, Familyresource.com, and MomGadget.com, just to name a few. Julia attended Rowan Cabarrus Community College. Part of her health care education was provided by training through Elderwood Skilled Nursing Facilities.
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