SUNDEW ... Long Islands Carnivorous Plants

in #nature6 years ago

There are 3 species of carnivorous plants on Long Island NY.

Drosera rotundifolia is one that grows along the shoreline of ponds nearby me.

They catch insects such as mosquitoes and flies on their mucus covered leaves. The substance is sweet to attract the bugs.

800px-Drosera_rotundifolia_-_Drents-Friese_Wold_1.jpg

These plants use enzymes to break down the insects into ammonia and other nutrients. The Ammonia is needed to replace nitrogen which the soil it is growing in, is lacking.
https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmXw1DVoCAJ7cbCb3a6FH31YT7G5pAg51SwmqXmKy9Z85U

proxy.duckduckgo.jpg

There are 194 species of Sundew ranging from Alaska to New Zealand with almost 50% found in Australia.

proxy.duckduckgo.jpg

They are found growing near the waters edge
stars divider.png

Source ... photos from duckduckgo.com .. images
carnivorous--plants.com
legacy.carnivorousplants.org
wikipedia

Sort:  

These look frightening!!

Posted using Partiko iOS

Yes but they are very small.

Yep! Very small for me! But very big for many insects! Very complicated ecological system!

Posted using Partiko iOS

So pretty!

So delicate looking little killers.

Interestimg plant. Pretty, unique and dangerous (to mosquitos)

And, again, I learn something. Cool.

Thanks for dropping by :-)