Forked sundew

Fork-shaped leaves covered in dew

The forked sundew is a large perennial carnivorous plant of the family Droseraceae, among the most spectacular of the genus Drosera (the sundews). Its distinctive feature is the long, upright leaves, which can exceed 60 cm, repeatedly divided into forks (dichotomous): hence the scientific name binata, "having pairs". Each leaf is covered in dense reddish tentacles, each tipped with a drop of sticky mucilage that glistens like dew.

Habitat and range

It is native to south-eastern Australia and New Zealand, where it grows in bogs, wet meadows and damp, nutrient-poor habitats.

How it catches prey

The sticky drops at the tips of the tentacles attract and trap insects. When prey sticks fast, the surrounding tentacles slowly curl toward it and sometimes the leaf itself rolls up, wrapping the insect. Digestive enzymes dissolve the prey's tissues, from which the plant absorbs nitrogen and other nutrients scarce in the soil.

Cultivation

It is one of the easiest and most widely grown sundews. It wants full sun or very bright light, a poor, acidic mix (sphagnum peat with sand or perlite) kept always moist, and watering with rainwater or deionised water only, from below. Many forms are hardy and tolerate light frost.

Care

It should never be fed like an ordinary plant: it catches the insects it needs on its own. Indoors it can go on a bright windowsill or in a terrarium. It is non-toxic to people and pets.