For this Floral Friday, I thought I’d share a different kind of flower. This is a bloom on one of my carnivorous plants, a sundew. The plants themselves are found in bogs and swampy areas, and like most carnivorous plants, grow in nutrient-poor soil. They make up for the lack of soil nutrients by, well, eating bugs.
The sundews have these long tendrils covered in tiny hairs that, in turn, are coated in a sticky substance. The substance is like nectar and attracts small insects. When the insects land on the tendrils, they become stuck and the tendrils will slowly curl about around them. At that point, the plant secretes another substance that digests the victim.
Horror show aside, they are quite beautiful and I’ve been lucky enough to have them bloom every year. (click on each image for a larger view)
RB
Interesting
Thank you.
We have pink sundews that grow naturally on our property. As someone who studied carnivorous plants back in college, it is awesome to see them flourishing in their natural environment.
Oh, you’re very lucky to have that. We have them – along with pitcher plants – growing naturally in a state forest not far from here. It’s lovely to see fields of carnivorous plants in the wild.
Fascinating! Are they hard to keep?
Yes and no. They can’t be grown in regular potting soil since they grow naturally in very nutrient-poor soil. Regular potting soil will kill them. Additionally, municipal water has the same effect (all the chemicals), so they can only have rain water or distilled water (I have a couple of rain barrels for this purpose).
But other than those restrictions, they flourish well on their own. And help control the insect population.
Hmmm, they could help my cats and house spiders keep the bugs under control….
When we get the occasion gnats or flies in the house, I’ll bring a few flytraps or sundews in and set them on the kitchen windowsill. They usually take care of the intruders within a few days. 🪰
scary but very cool!
I’ve had the same said about me (kidding!). 🙂
I don’t think I’ve encountered this flower before. It’s quite lovely, despite its deadly ways. 😀
I’m glad you like it, MM. And don’t worry, you’re safe. We are far too high on the food chain for this guy. 🪰
Haha. It must really cut down on the mosquitoes and other flying pests.
Sadly, the ONLY insect they don’t eat are mosquitoes, who aren’t attracted to their traps and tend to be too small. Which, in Florida, is a disappointment.
That’s a bummer! You need dragonflies — they love to dine on mosquitoes.
That’s very useful to know! I was about to recommend them to a friend with a mozzie problem! Sounds like they are very rewarding to grow in any case 🙂
James
Oh, they are. One of my favorites has been an Australian Sundew, which is recovering from a very cold winter, but should be in good shape in a few months. It catches just about anything that flies by.
I learnt about these in school, seriously gives me the creeps 😂😂
LOL! Apologies if I gave you a fright, Morag! 🤣
🤣🤣🤣no worries
The initial picture shows a very zoomed in picture and I thought it might be some sort of coral!
But I guess it only shows that life below and above water is equally fascinating and beautiful! 🙂
And while as a vegetarian I don’t “approve” of meat eaters, I know nature takes care of its own eco system in every way.
Ps. Don’t believe what others say: Sharkies are secretely munching on celery sticks. Hence their model like looks 🦈🤭
I’m always amazed at all the varieties in nature, even the vegetarian sharks (I’ll keep their secret safe). 🙂
Because they are native to Nebraska, I once transplanted some at the border of my yard. The experiment failed because my dirt is too rich and too dry.
A mistake I made early on, as well, Swabby. Now I just mix sphagnum moss, pine bark, and a little perlite.
I’m glad you’ve seen them in Nebraska. Most carnivorous plants are endangered.
Prairieland is home to some bizarre plants. This is especially the case near creeks and minor rivers.
The only carnivorous plant I could name is the Venus fly trap.
I have a few of them, as well, and one is about to flower. I’ll have to post about that one soon.
Seriously scary Richard!
LOL…I think you’re safe in your location, Sheree. 🙂
Phew! That’s a relief
I never heard of this plant before. I’m glad it doesn’t eat people!
Just don’t grow a super sized one.
Some species of carnivorous plants do get quite large, but they mostly grow in tropical climates. I think you and I are safe…for now. 🙂
Well, there are certain pitcher plants that grow in Southeast Asia that have been known to digest small monkeys that fall into their pitchers…. 😬
I have read about these plants but never seen them,they don’t probably grow here in my place.
They may, Nusrat. While not widely known, they grown on almost every continent.
That’s very interesting Richard, I had never heard of these. Stunning but sad for the insects 🤣🙈
I think of it as natural pest control! 🙂
Check out the carnivorous plants that grow in Australia. You may find some at the local botanical gardens.
Oh I’m sure we have a good few here 🙈 but yes you’re right, a natural pest control, the ecosystem needs them.
Fascinating, Richard. Not quite as decorative as Swabby though.
LOL! I wouldn’t think of comparing my exhibits to his amazing arrangements! 🙂
Wise man, Richard.