Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Sonnedou, Sundew

Family: Droseraceae (Sundew)

Distribution: Namaqualand to Agulhas, Kwazulu-Natal

Habitat: Peaty sandstone slopes

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

National red list: Least Concern

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: This is a common and widespread species, but is quite inconspicuous due to its diminutive size. It only reaches up to 10 cm in height when it is flowering. It is a tuberous species which dies back in the dry summer season and resprouts when the rain starts in autumn. Like most carnivorous plants, Droseras (typically known as sundews) grow in standing or slow-moving water. The nutrients in these soils are typically leached out and consequently insectivorous plants have evolved another strategy to obtain nutrients: carnivory. Sundews have glands on their leaves which act like external stomachs: it captures prey on the sticky mucilage, curls over the insect to bring it in closer contact with the glands and tentacles, and secretes enzymes to digest its prey.