Sundew

Botanical name Drosera. The common name is sundew because of the glistening drops of mucilage on the ends of the tentacles which sparkle and look like early morning dew in the sunshine. These drops are very sticky so when an insect flies into them, it gets stuck and then eaten by the plant. This is not as spectacular is the more famous insectivorous plant, the venus flytrap. The leaves do not snap shut but the tentacles often fold over, or for larger flies the leaf curls round. The insect is dissolved and the plant absorbs the yummy fly soup that results.

It is very efficient. In the summer these plants are covered with insects. Those annoying little fruit flies in particular do not stand a chance. It is one of my favourite plants for this reason!