Nature Walks with Mark Meat Eating Sundew Plant

When we think of a carnivorous meat eating species a plant isn't at all what you might expect however, in the case of the Sundew thats exactly what it is. Sundews have evolved to thrive in northern bogs, moist areas of generally poor soil. In these habitats where nutrients are lacking, insects on the other hand are quite common and amazingly, on the menu. In my opinion this has to be one of the most fascinating examples of the adaptability of the natural world. The Sundew is the last place a fly will ever feed when attracted to the red coloration of the pant as well as the sweet tasting beads of liquid at the end of the hair-like bristles. Call it a "fatal attraction" Once trapped in the sticky beads, struggling only assists the plant as the leaf curls around its prey sealing its fate. What an amazing species! I'm Mark Fraser if you would like to read up about more amazing adventures exploring and protecting the natural world join me at http://www.naturewalkswithmark.org where the spirit of adventures live on!

Did you know?

The Sundew is a "circumboreal" species meaning it can be found on similar regions surrounding the Earth.




They get their name from the beads of liquid on the leaves that looks similar to the morning "dew"

Sundews often share their habitat with the Pitcher Plant, another species of carnivorous plant (tough place to be a fly).

The Sundew species on this film are often called "Round Leaf Sundew"

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Discovery
• News
• Mark
• Fraser
• Nature
• Walks
• Sundew
• Carnivorous
• Amazing
• plants
• Northern
• Bogs

[salamatqassem]

hopefuly there is big one of thos to eat my boss

[nwwmark]

@salamatqassem  :-)

[jmali1]

mine doesnt have the sticky things on the hair... what should i do???

[nwwmark]

@jmali1 The Sundew plants have many different types and their needs can be very different. Some, like more sun and others would need a very special environment so an at-home plant might require a terrarium. If you can identify the specific species (It's Latin name) then you could do a search on that species best conditions for what it will need to thrive. Amazing plants...

[justsairie]

if a person fell in a bed of sundew.. can it kill a human?

[nwwmark]

@justsairie Well I can say from first hand experience... you would be perfectly fine. Lucky for us they can only digest tiny insects trapped on their sticky hairs.

[sokal91]

I wish i had this plant in my house. It looks interesting :-)

[zenithar6666]

HO YES IT "EVOLVED"

[meowkie]

Wow, great! Sundews are so pretty, but they are just so deadly. To a fly, that is. :)

[AngelStarBarbie]

nice!