Drosera natalensis - Carnivorous Sundew Seeds - Endemic Ethnobotanical Houseplant - New

Drosera natalensis Seeds

Carnivorous Sundew

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 grow best in 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 natalensis is a South African indigenous species found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. The rosettes are flat and about 4 cm across. The leaves are spoon-shaped. The upper surface of the light green leaves, have a covering of sticky tentacles which are a dark pink or brilliant red. It is a very easy to grow and popular rosette forming Sundew. They should be grown in bright light, but with protection from full midday sun. Fun & educational!