Sundew

Sundews are extraordinary organisms because they belong to the Kingdom Plantae, yet are carnivorous heterotrophs. This page is about the "Alice" species.

Drosera aliciae [Electronic Image]. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from: [] In this image, we can see some leaves curled up. It has caught some food!

The Latin name of this sundew is Drosera aliciae. The phylum it belongs to is Tracheobionta, which is the phylum of vascular plants. This means that plants have systems of tissues that transport water from the roots to the leaves and upper structures and sugars from the upper structures to the roots. The water, after being transported to the leaves, is used to photosynthesize through the chloroplasts in the cells. The sugars, or carbohydrates, that were made through photosynthesis are then stored in the roots for later use.

Known by the common name of sundew, the whole family of Droseraceae consists of plants that lure and trap prey with the thick, clear, gluey substances on the tips of the stalks on their leaves. Firstly to lure the them, the leaves of the sundew are brightly coloured to reflect bright pink and red light into the eyes of prey when there is lots of sunlight. They also give off a sweet scent similar to that of nectar. The leaves have large surface areas to increase the chances of prey getting stuck. The plants then have mucilaginous glands that produce the gluey substances. After insects or other small animals come near the leaves, they get stuck right after contacting the dew-like glue drops. Slowly but surely afterwards, the leaves roll up and encircle the creature. Once the insect is all rolled up, digestive juices are excreted and the prey's nutrients are absorbed. Another interesting morphological feature on this plant is the placement of the flowers. The flowers of this plant grow about 30 cm from the carnivorous leaves, so that the helpful insects that come to pollinate it will not get trapped and eaten, like a small reward for helping the sundew reproduce. This species in particular, Drosera aliciae, are native to South Africa, where the soil is not richly nutritious. The nutrients from the prey are supplements, like vitamin pills are to humans.

The sundew, as mentioned before, grows in nutrient-depleted and acidic soils, like those in marshes, fens, bogs, and swamps. Its method of obtaining needed nutrients by predation is made possible by its anatomical features. These include its structures, like the mucilangeous glands and brightly coloured leaves, and its sweet scent, which attract and capture the prey.

This species of sundew is native to South Africa, and can also grow in generally temperate areas on any continent, except Antarctica.

Drosera distribution [Electronic Image]. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from:

Drosera aliciae [Electronic Image]. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from: []

D. aliciae [Electronic Image]. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from: []

Drosera aliciae Detail [Electronic Image]. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from: []

An image of the flowers of the //Drosera aliciae//. Drosera aliciae Bluete [Electronic Image]. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from: []

Title of work [Type of work]. (Year image was created). Retrieved Month Day, Year, from: URL (address of web site)

Here are some interesting videos of the //Drosera aliciae// and other types of sundews in action!

media type="youtube" key="frmyzIhD29Q?fs=1" height="385" width="640"

media type="youtube" key="cZ7Fws1HaL0?fs=1" height="385" width="480"

media type="youtube" key="z10iiTkV3XU?fs=1" height="385" width="480"

Taxonomy of the "Alice" sundew:

Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Nepenthales Droseraceae Drosera aliciae


 * Caryophyllales**. (2010). In //Encyclopædia Britannica//. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: []

//**Drosera aliciae**.// (2010). In //Wikipedia//. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from Wikipedia: []


 * ITIS Report**. (2010). //ITIS Standard Report Page//. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from []


 * sundew**. (2010). In //Encyclopædia Britannica//. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: []


 * tracheophyte**. (2010). In //Encyclopædia Britannica//. Retrieved November 10, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: []