Plant Profile: Drosera filiformis

Sundew is a fascinating carnivorous plant that, while capable of photosynthesis, primarily derives its nutrients from digesting insects. It features lavender-rose flowers atop a leafless stalk, which emerges from slender, sticky basal leaves that unfurl in a spiral pattern. This plant is relatively easy to grow and can form clumps that are easily divided during its dormant phase.

This remarkable member of the sundew family stands out due to its elongated leaves adorned with shimmering droplets of a sticky secretion. Insects that become ensnared in the plant's adhesive hairs are broken down by its digestive enzymes. Southern varieties tend to be larger than their northern counterparts, with the Florida Sundew showcasing distinctive red stems. Although sundews can be found from Canada to Florida, their natural habitats are diminishing, leading to a decline in their populations.

For optimal growth, plant sundews in full sunlight using a substrate composed of whole fiber sphagnum moss or a blend of equal parts peat moss and coarse vermiculite or sharp sand. These plants thrive in consistently moist conditions, and some varieties benefit from a period of winter dormancy to ensure their longevity. They can be successfully cultivated in bog gardens or containers.

Their natural habitat includes the edges of pools in pinelands, particularly in clay-rich Carolina bays.