Plant DetailShow Menu

Drosera

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
DROSS-er-uh
Description

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 Gardens: Greenhouse Beds
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#lavender#carnivorous#pink flowers#showy leaves#pond margins#endangered#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#wildflower garden#container plant#perennial#boggy sites
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#lavender#carnivorous#pink flowers#showy leaves#pond margins#endangered#NC native#summer flowers#herbaceous perennial#native garden#wildflower garden#container plant#perennial#boggy sites
  • 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
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Carnivorous
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Medium
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Hairy
    Stem Surface:
    Dull
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Pond
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden