Drosera aliciae - Carnivorous Sundew - 10 Seed Pack - Endemic Ethnobotanical Houseplant - New

Drosera commonly known as the sundews comprises one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants, with at least 171 species around the world. The genus includes annuals and perennials, large and small plants, and denizens of tropical, temperate, and polar habitats. Some of the showiest species are from the botanically rich Cape Province of South Africa. They should not be confused with the ever popular Venus Fly Trap, Dionaea muscipula. These members of the family Droseraceae lure, capture, and digest insects using stalked mucilaginous glands covering their leaf surfaces. The insects are used to supplement the poor mineral nutrition of the soil in which they grow. Both the botanical name and the English common name refer to the glistening drops of mucilage at the tip of each tentacle that resemble drops of morning dew. Drosera has also been recorded for its medicinal use against warts, corns and sunburn. 

Ethnobotanically a tea made from the plant was also used as a tranquilizer and aphrodisiac. Whether indigenous or exotic, Sundews deserve a little corner in all carnivorous plant collections. They make fascinating indoor houseplants. These curiosity plants grohttps://goo.gl/2VtxD" rel="nofollow">pots filled with a mix of Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss, Vermiculite and Horticultural Perlite. They can also be grown in our general Carnivorous Growing Medium.

Drosera aliciae commonly known as the Alice Sundew or Shepherd's Crook Sundew is a South African endemic species found exclusively in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. It has a fascinating mounding habit, is easy to grow and is long-lived, making it an unusual and sought after container plant. It can grow up to 7.5cm across and produces flat circular rosettes, held flat to the soil. Older dead leaves are retained below, thus creating a mound. The upper surface of the light green leaves, have a covering of sticky tentacles which are a dark pink or brilliant red. The leaves, curl around any captured prey like a fist. The undersides of the leaves are hairy and this can be seen as the new leaves unfurl.