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Cape sundew
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Cape sundew trap Cape sundew
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Cape sundew

plant
Also known as: Drosera capensis
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Quick Summary

Cape sundew trap
Cape sundew trap An active trap of the Cape sundew (Drosera capensis). Sensitive tentacles topped with red mucilage-secreting glands fold over to secure and digest the struggling insect.

The Cape sundew (D. capensis) is a species of carnivorous plant belonging to the genus Drosera. These plants are found in bogs and fens with sandy, acidic soil. Sundews use their leaves, covered in gland-tipped hairs that exude a sticky substance, to trap insects. This carnivory helps them obtain essential nutrients like nitrogen, especially in nutrient-poor soil conditions. The trapped insects are digested by enzymes secreted by the glands. The Cape sundew, native to South Africa, is recognized by its long, narrow leaves with red-tipped glands and is often sold as a novelty plant.1

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. sundew
  2. Caryophyllales - Droseraceae
  3. sundew
  4. mucilage cell

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