Drosera
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- DROSS-er-uh
- Description
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The Sundews are one of the largest groups of carnivorous plants with at least 250 species. It is easily identifiable by its tentacle-like stems that unwind out of a basal rosette of leaves. They can be green, yellow-green to red in color. Each leaf is covered with hair-like structures and tipped with glands that exude a sticky, dew-like substance that persists throughout the day. This attracts insects that are digested with enzymes. Flowers vary in color and they open in the mornings on sunny days throughout the summer. These plants are found in bogs, fens, and marshes throughout the world and range from tropicals to ones that are native to Canada. They are listed as endangered or threatened in several native states.
Cultivation is fairly easy for most species. Grow them in a peat/ sand mix, kept moist year-round, and in full sun in the ground or containers. Be sure to research which species is best for your area,
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Juniper Level Botanic Garden: Bog Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Drosera
- Species:
- species
- Family:
- Droseraceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Sundews were used as medicinal herbs as early as the 12th century for coughs, bronchitis, whooping cough and asthma.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Cosmopolitan
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Carnivorous
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Small, various colored flowers on a 3-15 in. smooth, slender stalk; flowers have five sepals, five stamens, five petals and a pistil with three styles
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Description:
- Basal rosette of leaves which unfurl to long leaves that are gland-tipped with hairs which exude little droplets of a sticky fluid to trap insects.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Surface:
- Dull
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
