Sundew Plant

What would you think of when you hear the name 'sundew'? I imagined a flower which would be somewhat like the sun, with dew like formations all over it. And I was right! It is, in fact, like what I thought of, except one thing. The sundew plant invites visitors such as flies, midges, fruit flies, etc., at lunch or dinner. And guess what's on the menu, these insects themselves. To cut the long story short, the plant belongs to the carnivorous species of plants. Some larger species of this plant are known to feed on butterflies, moths, mosquitoes and even spiders. The plant hails from the family droseraceae and has about 194 species. As deadly this plant for insects may be, it is also one of the most beautiful creations of nature, apart from a natural insect killer.

Sundew Plant Facts

• The plant gets its name from its appearance. It is covered with glandular tentacles, whose tips are topped with a sticky gel-like substance. This gel mimics the appearance of dew that we normally get to see in the wee hours of the morning. And when these dew-like gel drops glisten in the sun, it makes the plant magnificently beautiful.
• The very gel that imparts a unique look to the plant, also serves to play the most important part for its survival. The gel is somewhat sweet in nature, and it is this that attracts a variety of insects. Once the prey makes contact with the gel, it gets entrapped.
• It takes about one quarter of an hour for the prey to succumb to the death trap. In the mean time, the plant secretes enzymes which help in digesting the insect, which is eventually used for the growth of the plant.
• The habitat of the sundew plant is the main driving factor behind its evolution to become a carnivore. This plant grows in wet habitats with acidic soils and high levels of sunlight, like bogs, swamps, forest floors, etc. Because of the poor soil quality, the plant does not get nutrients that is enough for its survival. So, it feeds on insects in order to make up for the dearth.
• Most of the species of this plant hibernate. The perennial species require a period of 4-5 months, during which they can go into dormancy. It also happens that to survive the winter, some portions of the plant die back into a root ball, only to revive in the spring.

How to Care for A Sundew Plant

• Exposure to direct sunlight for only part of the day, does good for the growth of this plant. The plant grows well amidst grasses, weeds, and trees.
• Soil that is made up of sphagnum moss (2 parts) and perlite (1 part), helps in giving the plant proper drainage.
• It is advisable to use rainwater or distilled water for the plant. Watering must be done between dry outs, and the soil has to be kept moist at all times.
• Apart from the insects mentioned above, you can get immature crickets, mealworms and mites to feed this plant with. Simply place the meal on top of any one of the tentacles, and the plant would do its job from there. It is better not to do any kind of experiment with the feeding of the plant, as some people do. Provide the plant what it requires for survival, unless you have brought it home to have some fun experimenting with it.

This beautiful carnivore plant is easy to care for and does not demand much attention. So simply fulfill its basic needs and enjoy the show when it gulps down the flies in your house. Slurp, slurp!..