Common Names:
- Common Sundew
- Round-leaved Sundew
Phonetic Spelling:
DRAH-ser-uh roh-tun-dih-FOH-lee-uh
Description:
- Appearance: Sundew is a small, carnivorous plant with rosettes of rounded, spoon-shaped leaves covered in glandular hairs that secrete sticky mucilage. The leaves glisten in the sunlight, giving the appearance of being covered in dew.
- Leaves: The leaves are bright green, and each one is covered with tiny, red, hair-like structures known as trichomes, which exude the sticky substance used to trap insects.
- Flowers: Sundew produces delicate, white to pink flowers on tall stalks, usually blooming in the summer. The flowers open one at a time and are short-lived.
- Fruits: The fruit is a small, dry capsule that releases tiny seeds into the wind.
Distribution/Location:
- Geographic Range: Found in temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Habitat: Prefers bogs, marshes, and other acidic, nutrient-poor environments where the soil is wet and sunny.
Environmental Concerns:
- Conservation Status: Not currently endangered, but some local populations are threatened by habitat loss due to wetland drainage and development.
- Conservation Efforts: Conservation focuses on protecting wetland habitats and promoting the natural growth of Sundews in their native regions.
Fun Fact:
Sundews are remarkable for their carnivorous diet! They capture and digest insects using their sticky, dew-covered leaves, supplementing their nutrient intake in poor soil conditions. Charles Darwin was fascinated by Sundews and conducted extensive studies on their carnivorous behavior.
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