Family
Droseraceae
Botanical Name
DROSERA brevifolia
Plant Common Name
Dwarf Sundew, Sundew
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Native to bogs and other damp acidic habitats worldwide, sundews are distinguished by their hairy, insect-trapping leaves, which typically occur in basal rosettes. Most of the approximately 100 sundew species are perennials or annuals; many are evergreen.
The linear to rounded, typically long-stalked leaves of these hardy to tender herbs are topped with stout, red or purple hairs, each bearing a drop of dew-like resin at the tip. The hairs snare and digest small insects. The light green to deep red leaves are usually configured in ground-hugging rosettes that arise from underground rhizomes or tubers. A few sundews have a vining habit. Many deciduous sundews die back to a winter rosette of plump leaf buds known as a hibernaculum.
Most sundews bloom in summer, bearing small white, pink, red, or purple flowers either singly or in elongated, often one-sided clusters. Small fruit capsules follow, with self-sowing often occurring.
These wetland natives need ample light and damp, acidic, relatively infertile soil. Grow sundews in a 50/50 sand/peat mix in a container whose base is immersed in water, or plant them in the garden in a moist peat bed. Tender sundews can be overwintered in a cool sunny indoor location. Propagate plants by division, stem or root cuttings, or seed. These relatively easy-to-grow insectivores are popular with fanciers of carnivorous plants.
Ornamental Features
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Flower Color
White, Red, Purple, Pink
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Red, Green, Purple, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Red, Green, Purple, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Red, Green, Purple, Yellow Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bog Garden, Container, Houseplant, Tropical, Water Gardens
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Self-Sowing
Yes
