Family: Droseraceae
Common Name: Sundew

This genus of insectivorous plants is quite widely distributed and includes many species native to south-western Australia. Small, sticky hairs on the tips of the leaves trap small insects. When an insect lands, the hairs fold inwards, snaring the creature. The sticky globules resem­ble dew drops, hence the use of the common name. Pretty little buttercup-like flowers appear in spring, mostly in white or pink.

Species

D. binata, forked sundew, from New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, grows to 35 cm (14 in). It has forked leaves and large, creamish white, showy flowers from spring to early summer.

D. capensis, from South Africa, is a delicate, striking species, to 15 cm (6 in), with purple flowers on leafless stems in the spring.

D. macrantha, zone 8, from southwestern Western Australia, climbing sundew, produces white or pink flowers in spring.

D. petiolaris and D. spathulata are two other Australian species cultivated. Both are small plants, with reddish leaves.

Cultivation

Sundews are generally grown in pots in a cool greenhouse, except in frost-free climates where they are grown in a bog garden. In the greenhouse, grow plants in a mix of peat and sand (equal parts), provide maximum light but shade from strong sun, and stand pots in dishes of water to keep the compost wet. Keep plants drier in winter.

Climate

Zone 9 for most species.