Drosera rotundifolia aka Round Leaved Sundew

Taxonomy

Genus Drosera Family Droseraceae Order Caryophyllales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Drosera rotundifolia, also known as the round-leaved sundew, roundleaf sundew, or common sundew, is a carnivorous perennial plant that thrives in bogs, marshes, and fens. It has a circumboreal distribution, found across northern Europe, Siberia, northern North America, Korea, Japan, and even as far south as California, Mississippi, Alabama, and New Guinea. This captivating plant forms basal rosettes of long-stalked leaves, with almost circular leaves measuring up to 1cm in diameter. These leaves are covered in sticky, red-tipped, gland-bearing hairs that trap small insects. The leaves are supported by horizontally-spreading, hairy leaf stalks that are 1-5cm long. In the summer, slender, hairless stems up to 15cm tall emerge from the center of the leaf rosette, bearing small white to pink flowers with 5-6 petals. The roundleaf sundew is a well-studied member of the Drosera family and is often chosen for terrariums or bog-type gardens. It thrives in cooler regions, growing alongside moss and other bog plants, but does not tolerate temperatures above 85°F (29°C). As a carnivorous plant, it relies on a consistent diet of flies, bugs, or fish food. The roundleaf sundew blooms from spring to fall and enters a dormancy period during winter. Its impressive hunting mechanism involves using its sticky red tentacles to capture prey. Additionally, it produces small white-pink flowers.

Common names

Round Leaved Sundew, Roundleaf Sundew, Sundew

How to care for Round Leaved Sundew

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Round Leaved Sundew is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Soil

Round Leaved Sundew loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Round Leaved Sundew requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Roundleaf Sundew is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Round Leaved Sundew to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Region of origin

Round Leaved Sundew’s native range is Europe, including Britain but excluding he Mediterranean, N. Asia, N. America..

More info:
Wikipedia

More Species in Drosera Genus

Drosera pygmaea Drosera Pygmaea

Drosera aberrans Drosera Aberrans

Drosera pallida

Drosera intermedia Oblong Leaf Sundew

Drosera anglica Great Sundew

Drosera trinervia

Drosera peltata

Drosera cistiflora Drosera Cistiflora

Drosera rotundifolia Round Leaved Sundew

Drosera pulchella