Narrow-Leaved Sundew

Drosera intermedia (DROSS-er-uh in-ter-MEE-dee-uh)

Family: Droseraceae Native Groundcover (<1 ft)

Spoonleaf sundew is a native carnivorous plant in the sundew family (Droseraceae). This species grows in bogs and wet areas throughout Europe, eastern North America, and parts of eastern South America. In the southern Coastal Plain of North Carolina, it may be found in protected natural areas, and is uncommon in the northern Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions. The species epithet, intermedia, is Latin for “intermediate,” but the reference is obscure. The spoonleaf sundew is hardy and easy to grow, but even in optimum conditions, it is short-lived. It thrives in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Like all carnivorous plants, it grows best in a nutrient-free medium that is kept moist with distilled water or rainwater. Do not fertilize the plant; it will get all the nutrients it needs from the insects it traps. This species usually grows as a rosette, but vigorous plants will produce a short, elongate, leafy stem. The leaves are small, bright green, paddle-shaped, with red sticky hairs on top to trap insects. During the summer, flowers appear in cymes of 3 to 8 blooms of pink to red or white. The thin bare flower stalk (scape) starts curled and unfurls to display the flowers. Its fruit is a dry, oval capsule that splits open when ripe, with reddish-brown seeds. This sundew can be grown outside in bog gardens, troughs, or containers. Grow it in a native garden, rain garden, or children’s garden. This species can also be grown indoors. Place the plant in a small pot and set the pot in a tray of distilled or rainwater. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. More information on Drosera .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 50 attributes.