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Project Noah Nature School
Drosera spatulata
This is a Spoon-leaved Sundew - a carnivorous plant. It's a variable, rosette-forming plant with spoon-shaped leaves. The upper surface of the leaves have glands that secrete a sticky substance. There are two types of glands - stalked glands that capture the insects, and sessile glands that secretes enzymes and absorbed the nutrients from the trapped insects. This species also has small red buds which produce white flowers. This is only my second encounter with this species, and with both encounters, sandy soil, fresh water, and good sunlight are the common denominators. Some of the specimens in this spotting were fully-submerged in water.
Spotted by a small freshwater dam on a rural property. Good sunlight for most of the day, but subjected to extreme conditions - freezing cold (sometimes snow) in winter, and intense heat in summer. Sandy water-saturated soil, growing amongst water grasses.
Spotted on Jun 1, 2015
Submitted on Jun 22, 2015
4 Comments
Aren't they cool? I love exploring that part of the country. Cool last trip though, and I almost froze my toes off. The little sundews survived ok.
What a magnificent plant! Also what a neat looking place to explore.
Thanks, James. Yeah they are very cool.
Cool!!