Sundew (Drosera)

Plants of the genus Drosera they are some of the best adapted to living in nutrient-poor soils; What's more, thanks to this quality, species can be found on every continent in the world, except Antarctica.

This means that there is a great variety, so having an interesting collection is not only possible, but it can also be quite complicated because all of them are beautiful. Discover more.

Origin and characteristics

As we said, they are carnivorous plants originating from all over the world except the Antarctic continent. The genus, Drosera, is made up of about 194 accepted species. They are known by the name of "dew of the sun" since at the end of each leaf there are shiny drops of mucilage, which is a viscous substance in which insects get stuck.

In general, they are perennial herbaceous, although there are some that are annual. They form rosettes of more or less flattened or octopus-shaped leaves (as the sundew derbyensis).

Once the prey is trapped, they begin to roll up on themselves little by little, and then digest it thanks to the enzymes they produce. After a week or ten days (sometimes 14), the leaves open again, exposing the shell of the insect.

But they also have a good side: flowers. These sprout from a long stem, and are grouped in inflorescences. They are formed by five petals normally (in the case of D. pygmeaea there are four, and in the one of the D. heterophylla are between 8 and 12), white, pink, orange (D. callistos), Red (d adelae), yellow (D. zigzag) or metallic violet (D. microphylla).

What types are there?

Depending on their type of growth and origin, they are classified into three groups:

• From temperate zones: they are species that during winter form a hibernacle that takes the form of a very tight cluster of leaves. This is the case of, for example, the D.arcturi.
• From subtropical and tropical places: are those that grow throughout the year, such as D. petiolaris.
• From the deserts: are those that have adapted to living in extreme heat and drought conditions, such as the Australian subgenera Bryatrum and Ergaleium. Those of the first group are plants that usually have a small size, and dense hairs in the center that protect them from the intense sun; those of the second form an underground tuber thanks to which they can survive the warmer and drier season, sprouting again in autumn.

What are the main species?

There are many, but we are going to stick with these since they are the easiest to find in nurseries:

• Sundew aliciae: It is native to South Africa, and forms rosettes of leaves up to 5 centimeters in diameter. The flowers are pink.
• Sundew capensis: it is a rhizomatous carnivore native to the Cape Province of South Africa. It forms rosettes of more or less erect leaves 6,5cm long. Produces pink flowers.
• Sundew rotundifolia- Known as common sundew or round-leaved sundew, it is native to northern Europe, much of Siberia, northern North America, Korea, Japan, and New Guinea. It forms rosettes of leaves up to 5cm in diameter, and white or pink flowers. In winter, it produces a tight-leaved shoot called a hibernacle to survive.

How are they cared for?

Sundew are carnivorous fairly easy to care for as long as some things are taken into account, which are:

Location

They must be outside, in semi-shade. Only if the climate is cold in winter or tropical species are grown will they need frost protection in a greenhouse or similar.

Earth

Mix equal parts white peat and perlite. You can get the first here and the second by this link.

Irrigation

Irrigation must be frecuente. It is interesting to put a plate under them and fill it up, especially during the summer.

Use rain, distilled, or osmosis water, and DO NOT wet the leaves.

Subscriber

He does not need it; what's more, it hurts. Their roots are not prepared to absorb the fertilizer from the earth, because during their evolution they have had to adapt to living in areas where there are hardly any nutrients. If it is paid, what will happen is that it will burn.

Leave it outside whenever you can. This way it will hunt and feed without being dangerous.

Multiplication

The Drosera multiply by seeds in spring. Simply fill a pot with peat moss mixed with 30% perlite, place the seeds on the surface and keep the substrate always moist. This will germinate in 2-3 weeks.

Anyway, you should know that there are species that self-pollinate themselves and that, in addition, germinate with incredible ease, such as d.aliciae or the D.capensis. In fact, it would not be unusual for you to buy a pot with one or two specimens and that after a short time you would have the container full.

Transplant

It has to be transplanted in spring, to a wide plastic pot.

Rusticity

It will depend on the species. The Nordic ones resist intense frosts well, but the tropical ones do not. The common ones are usually subtropical, and from experience I can tell you that they can be grown outdoors all year round in warm-temperate climates with minimum temperatures of up to -2ºC.

What uses do they have?

Sundew are used as ornamental plants, but they also have other uses:

• MedicinalThey are used to strengthen the heart, treat sunburn and toothache, fight asthma, coughs, lung infections, and stomach ulcers.
• Culinary: Australian species serve as food for the aborigines, and with the D. rotundifolia dyes are made in Scotland. Also, with the fresh leaves of D.capensis, D. spatulata y D. rotundiphoia a liqueur is made.

Sundew Syrup

It is a syrup that It is prepared with 150 grams of fresh plant per 250cm3 of 90º alcohol.. It is done as follows:

1. First, everything is put into a covered glass bottle, and it is shaken daily to obtain the tincture.
2. In addition, 350g of sugar is boiled in 200cm3 of water, and when it boils, it is removed from the heat.
3. Finally, the tincture is added to the syrup and stirred for a little while until everything dissolves well.

And ready! Now taking up to five small tablespoons a day you can benefit from its medicinal properties that we have mentioned before. But beware: if you are pregnant or think you may be, you should not take it; It is not recommended for use in children under 3 years of age or in those who are lactating.

What did you think of the Drosera?