#spoonleaf sundew

[ezoriah]

[plants-that-bite-blog]

Sundew city

[debunkshy]

Spoonleaf Sundew (Drosera intermedia)

Sandhill SNA, WI, 7-24-17

[novaeangliaphotography]

[vandaliatraveler]

Dolly Sods and the adjacent Flat Rock and Roaring Plains sprawl across a rugged plateau at the edge of the Allegheny Front, which drains much of the moisture from passing clouds. The water drains poorly on the plateau, resulting in sphagnum bogs that host a variety of plants and animals uniquely adapted to the cool, acidic environment.

From top: Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), which in combination with blueberry, huckleberry and minniebush forms impenetrable thickets along the edges of the bogs; spoonleaf sundew (Drosera intermedia), also known as spatulate-leaved sundew, one of two species of carnivorous sundew to grow here; small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), also known as bog cranberry, whose tiny flowers have strongly recurved petals; possumhaw viburnum (Viburnum nudum), also known as wild raisin due to its vibrantly-hued fruits in the fall; canaan fir (Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis), a recognized subspecies of balsam fir known from only a few locations in West Virginia and Virginia; and bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), which grows prolifically in the dappled sunlight along trail edges.

[vandaliatraveler]

In addition to the more familiar round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), spoonleaf sundew (Drosera intermedia), also known as oblong-leaved sundew, also grows in the high mountain bogs of Central Appalachia, although it’s less common to downright rare. As the name suggests, the leaves of this delicate little carnivore are shaped like spoons. The sundew must supplement the meager sustenance it draws from the bog environment with nutrients absorbed from tiny insects ensnared by the sticky glands on its leaves. As an aside, the plant in this photo is getting ready to bloom (I might have to travel back up on the mountain for this special event). Photo taken at Dolly Sods Wilderness Area.

[plants-that-bite-blog]

Look at that dew growth already!

[plants-that-bite-blog]

this little Drosera Spatula is barely bigger than a quarter! so cute, i can’t wait for it to grow