From Glistening Dew to Deadly Trap: The Remarkable Sundew Plant

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Carnivorous Sundews sparkle in the sun and wait for their prey to get caught in the glistening drops of sticky glue covering the leaves on tiny stalks. 

There are nearly 200  types of Sundews  species, generally classed into 14 subtypes, depending on where they’re native and their growth habit.

What Do They Look Like?

Sundews come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the species. They are generally small, with an average size of 2 to 8 inches high, but some species can grow 2 to 3 feet. Their leaves can be long and slender, short with spoon-shaped tips, or wide with rounded tips.

Why Do They Trap Insects?

All green plants, including Sundews, use water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide to make their energy food (sugars) through photosynthesis. Most plants get the rest of their nutrition, such as available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and micronutrients from the soil.

How Do They Trap Insects?

The glistening drops of fragrant, sticky glue on the leaves are what attract bugs to the plant. When one gets caught in the glue, the leaf curls over, trapping the insect. Enzymes envelop the bug and break down its body into nutrients that the plant can use.

Sundews Plant Care & Feeding

- Light - Temperature & Humidity - Dormancy - Water - Soil - Pot - Feeding

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