Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Aldou, Allesdou, Doublom, Glyblom, Grootdou, Jansnot, Pietsnot, Puredou, Slakblom, Sonnedou, Vliegvangertjie, Rose-flowered sundew

Family: Droseraceae (Sundew)

Synonym: Drosera helianthemum, Drosera speciosa, Drosera zeyheri

Distribution: Eastern, Northern, Western Cape

Habitat: Damp sandy flats

National red list: Least Concern

Life form: Herbaceous perennial

Comments: Drosera cistiflora is a widespread South African endemic. It is a tuberous plant which dies back in the dry summer and starts growing again in the wet winter. It produces large white, yellow, mauve, purple or red flowers with dark centres in spring. 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.