Sundew
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How does the plant get its food?
Does the plant eat the whole insect?
The carnivorous Sundew is a spiny, skinny, flowering plant, which ranges from 4 inches to 5 feet tall. Leaves may be round or spindly. Its flowers range from white, to pink, to brilliant red, purple, or orange.
A fly detects the sweet smell of the sticky liquid, which oozes from the plant. The fly will land on the plant and become attached to a sticky tentacle. Then other tentacles start oozing more sticky liquid. Soon, the fly’s legs, wings, and body are trapped. The sundew wraps itself around the fly.
The oozy liquid is made up of acids and enzymes which dissolve the soft parts of the insect.
No. The hard parts of the insect fall to the ground. The Sundew uncurls and is ready for another meal.
They eat flies, midges, and fruit flies. The larger plants also eat butterflies, moths, mosquitoes, and spiders.
Sundews are found on every continent except Antarctica. Many grow in very wet soil, but because they fertilize themselves by catching and eating the insects, they can grow in the poorest, driest soil too.