Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin

SUNDEW

(Drosera rotundifolia L.)


Sundew

SUNDEW FAMILY (Droseraceae)

IND. STATUS: OBL

FIELD CHARACTERISTICS: A tiny, perennial herb forming a small rosette (half dollar size or smaller) near the ground. The leaf blades are round and covered with reddish, glandular hairs. Flowers are white (rarely pink) and 4-7 mm. wide. The leafless stalk is 7-35 cm. high with 3-15 flowers. In flower during July and August. Other species of sundew (Drosera spp.) are found in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but have narrower leaves.

ECOLOGICAL NOTES: Sundew is found in bogs, coniferous swamps, and wet, sunny, sandy habitats.

This carnivorous species has reddish, glandular hairs that secrete dew-like drops of a sticky fluid that traps minute animal life. The captured prey is then "digested" thereby providing needed nutrients to the plant.

SOURCE: Courtenay and Zimmerman (1972); Gleason and Cronquist (1991); and Voss (1985).


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