The Sundew's (Drosera species)

A genus of worldwide distribution comprising over 150 species, the Sundew's display a wide variety of physical characteristics and environmental adaptations. However, all species share the common characteristic of leaves armed with many tentacles-each topped with a
droplet of sticky mucilagenous glue. This glue glistens on the leaves in sunlight-giving the plants their common name.

Flying and crawling insects are attracted to the leaf by the sugary glue and upon alighting are immediately held. As the animal struggles to free itself, it's movements trigger surrounding hairs which gradually bend over and hold the prey in place. In some cases the whole leaf has the power of movement, completely encasing it's prey and making escape impossible.

Drosera esterhuysenae

As the insect moves it becomes covered in the glue and suffocates as it's breathing pores become blocked. Digestive enzymes are then released through the tentacles to break down the soft parts of the insect.

The resulting nutrients are then absorbed back through the tentacles and in to the leaf.

Species found in temperate regions (including the British Isles) adapt to their environment by producing tight dormant buds called hibernacula over the winter months. These protect the plant from freezing temperatures and once the warmer days return, growth resumes.

Drosera stelliflora Flowers

Many species need to survive high temperatures over the summer months, and employ other tactics.

These plants usually live in seasonally wet areas, which dry out completely during this time.

The majority of these are from Australia and South Africa, and lose their growth when the temperatures increase. Some Australian species are tuberous and retreat under ground to a small tuber (which is the same structure as a potato). They remain in this state for the summer and resume growth when the temperature drops and the rains return in the autumn.

One group also from Australia are known as the Pygmy Sundews, and include the smallest of the Drosera species. These are all small plants and those that live in seasonally wet areas produce a tight silvery stipule bud which encloses the growth point of the plant, protecting the plant from the burning heat of the sun.

They also have extremely long hair-like roots which penetrate deep in to the soil to reach any available moisture.

Some South African plants produce thick fleshy roots to help them survive the summer, and prout from these for the winter growth period, dying back again when the summer heat returns.

Drosera roseana A Pygmy Sundew

Many species are easy to grow in either a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill, and while some are more exacting (such as those mentioned above), the majority of species are extremely simple to cultivate.

These include some beautiful plants including the following:

Drosera capensis Leaf

Drosera capensis.

A showy South African species which forms strap shaped leaves, half the length of which are covered in sticky tentacles. These are usually red in colour, and contrast with the apple green coloration of the leaf.

There is also a white flowered form known as var.Alba which has light pink tentacles. Red leaved forms are also in cultivation. When insects are caught the leaves curl round, often completely covering the prey. Many dark pink flowers are produced in the summer months.

The plants reach a diameter of about 20 centimeters and are gradually stem forming.

Drosera aliciae.

Another South African plant which produces flat circular rosettes to about 5 centimeters held flat to the soil. The upper surface of the slightly wedge shaped leaves have a covering of sticky tentacles which are a dark pink against the light green of the leaf. The underside of the leaves are hairy and this can be seen as the new leaves unfurl. Beautiful pink flowers to about one centimeter are produced throughout the growing season.

Drosera spatulata.

This species is found throughout Asia and southwards in to Australasia. Despite it's vast range it does not display a great deal of variation.
It is another rosetted plant producing flat rosettes of spoon shaped leaves which in some forms are a deep maroon colour. Typically the leaves are pale green with red tentacles. The rather small and inconspicuous flowers are produced from spring to autumn and are either
white or more usually pink.

Drosera admirabilis.

This south african plant is similar in appearence to D. aliciae, but differs in that is smaller (to about 2cm in diameter) and overall is more compact. The colouration is more vivid with the tentacles being a dark red and the leaves a vibrant green. The relatively large pink flowers are produced from May-September.

All of the above plants will thrive on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse or conservatory and need to be stood in 1-2cm of rain or distilled/deionised water.

Drosera admirabilis

Over the winter they should be allowed to cool with a winter minimum of 7 degrees celcius (45 degrees fahrenheit). At this time the compost should be allowed to dry slightly, resuming watering in the spring.

The compost should consist of a 50:50 mix of moss peat and horticultural lime-free sand.

Drosera madagascariensis

A tropical African species, also found on Madagascar which forms upright stems to about 15 cm (6 inches), with spatulate shaped leaves along the length of the stem.

As the season advances, the stems fall over and become scrambling-eventually dying back with the plant returning from it's roots in the spring.

A sunny aspect and a winter minimum of 7 degrees celcius is ideal for the commoner forms of this species, though some forms appreciate higher temperatures. Keep wet in summer, damp in winter.

Drosera binata

Drosera binata var. multifida

A variable species with several recognised forms, all requiring the same conditions. In the typical or 'T-Form' as it is known, the upright leaves bifurcate to produce a once branched sticky leaf to about 25 cm.

Other forms are var. dichotomawith 4 points to it's leaves, var. multifida with 8-12 points,

and var. multifida f. Extrema with anything up to 40 points.

This latter formis a stunning plant with deep maroon leaves, best kept in a hanging basket to allow the heavy leaves to dangle in the air like rigid spider webs. All forms appreciate full sun and a winter minimum of minus 5 celcius (22 degrees fahrenheit), with the exception of f. extrema which although will tolerate such lows, takes much longer to re-grow from it's roots in the spring. Therefore a minimum temperature above freezing is preferable for this plant. All like full sun, and keep wet in summer, damp in winter when they die back completely.

Drosera slackii

D. slackii

A handsome rosetted South African species, producing loose rosettes of vivid crimson leaves to 8 cm in diameter.

This fantastic plant requires the same conditions as the closely allied D. aliciae. It produces wiry stems of many purple flowers during the summer months, and like full sun and a winter minimum of 7 celcius (45 degrees fahrenheit), although will survive a brief freeze.

Keep wet in summer, damp in winter.

Drosera ascendens

A distinctly hirsute (hairy) red species from Brazil, this plant has been masquerading for many years in cultivation as the related D. villosa.

It is however quite distinct, and produces loose rosettes of semi-upright leaves which turn a beautiful crimson in full sun. Often fading to a deep pink during the winter months.

Like the species above, keep wet in summer, and damp in winter, maintaining a minimum of 7 degrees celcius 45 degrees fahrenheit.

The other groups of plants can be more exacting in their requirements so please contact us for advise on these.