How many species of sundews are there?

Drosera, which is commonly known as the sundews, is one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants, with at least 194 species. These members of the family Droseraceae lure, capture, and digest insects using stalked mucilaginous glands covering their leaf surfaces.

What is special about sundew plants?

Sundews are “flypaper” plants that trap prey in sticky hairs on their leaves. They make up one of the largest groups of carnivorous plants. Long tentacles protrude from their leaves, each with a sticky gland at the tip. These droplets look like dew glistening in the sun, thus their name.

Are sundews endangered?

Not extinct
Sundews/Extinction status

Where is sundew native?

Australia
Sundew, (genus Drosera), genus of approximately 152 carnivorous plant species in the family Droseraceae. Sundews are widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions, especially in Australia, and are common in bogs and fens with sandy acidic soil.

Are sundews edible?

Wildflowers of the Adirondacks: Roundleaf Sundew appears to have limited edible or medicinal uses. Roundleaf Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) on Barnum Bog (20 July 2019). Roundleaf Sundew appears to have limited edible or medicinal use in the US. Native American groups reportedly made little use of this plant.

What happens if you touch a sundew?

Although they aren’t technically poisonous, Sundews have something called “contraindications”. If you were to touch a carnivorous plant too often, you might experience irritation in the digestive tract.

Are sundews poisonous to cats?

While a Venus flytrap is safe for pets (other than the possible exceptions I listed above), the plant does have compounds in it that may be poisonous if your pets eats one. Don’t panic! These compounds also occur in some sundews like Drosera rotundifolia.

Are sundew self pollinating?

The flowers of the majority of sundews in cultivation are self-fertile and will self-pollinate without the need of any addtional help. The mechanism of the self-pollination process: The anthers rub over the stigmas as the petals fold inwards while the flower closes.

How often do sundews flower?

Many sundews open several of their flowers at once. Sometimes, you’ll notice one flower opening each day or every few days.

What kind of plant is a sundew plant?

Despite its rather gentle sounding name, the sundew, also known as Drosera capensis, is a carnivorous plant. It belongs to one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants, with over 90 separate species. These species feature many sub-species as well and they have descriptive names like King Sundews, Temperate Sundews, Rosetted Sundews, etc.

How many species of sundew are there in the world?

It belongs to one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants, with over 90 separate species. These species feature many sub-species as well and they have descriptive names like King Sundews, Temperate Sundews, Rosetted Sundews, etc.

How big does a giant sundew plant get?

Other species of Sundews take a bit longer, sometimes even three years. There is also a great diversity in the size of a matured individual. The biggest species that you can own, the Giant Sundew, is only three feet in height. Most Sundew species can last a few years without the need to be repotted.

How is the sundew plant a threat to the environment?

The plant’s deadly secretions are harmless to the assassin bug, which hides on the plant to take advantage of helpless victims. Many species of sundew can self-pollinate, while others reproduce through seeds. Some species of sundew are listed as threatened or endangered in specific states. The primary threat to sundews is loss of wetland habitat.