Sundew

Drosera species

WA has the highest diversity of carnivorous Drosera species in the world due to its nutrient poor soils. ‘Sundew’ refers to the droplets on their leaves that appear to sparkle in the sun.
These are sticky hairs that respond quickly to the touch of roaming insects, causing nearby hairs to behave like tentacles pulling their prey down into mucilage that digests them. The mucilage contains multiple digestive enzymes, including one to breakdown the chiton in insect exo-skeletons. Drosera obtain important nitrogen by absorbing the digested unfortunate insects. Seven species of Drosera have been recorded along the corridor with rosette, upright and climbing forms. Winter is a great time to observe the drama up close.

 

Florabase

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Rehabilitating Roe 8 acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge that the Rehabilitating Roe 8 project area is Wadjuk country and pay respect to Elders and all Nyungar people, past, present and future. We are committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.