Swamp Things BioBlitz Spotlight Species #6

Spotlight Species #6:
Pink sundew (Drosera capillaris)

What to Look For:
Pink sundews are small insectivorous wildflower. They get their scientific name from their dewy-like secretions on their pink petals. The genus Drosea comes from the Greek drosos, meaning “dew” or “dewdrops.” These small plants grow close to the ground with round, spoon-shaped leaf blades sporting tiny tentacles. The leaves typically generally lie flat on the ground.

Where to Find It:
Pink sundews grow in clusters in wet pinelands, savannas, and bogs, creating a dewy red carpet. They can be found growing alongside other carnivorous plants like pitcher plants, bladderworts, butterworts, and even Venus flytraps. The plant typically blooms in the spring and will start showing up soon. They can be found in pristine Carolina bay ecosystems like Green Swamp and Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve.

Why It Is a Spotlight Species:
Pink sundews are an ultimate swamp thing. They require the acidic soils of boggy lands to grow. And what is cooler than a carnivorous plant?

Posted on March 13, 2023 11:37 PM by waccamaw_riverkeeper waccamaw_riverkeeper

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