20 Drosera sp. "Sundew" Seeds (CARNIVOROUS)

Photo credits:  Flickr (pierre pouliquin)



"Sundews are characterised by the glandular tentacles, topped with sticky secretions, that cover their laminae.  The trapping and digestion mechanism usually employs two types of glands:  stalked glands that secrete sweet mucilage to attract and ensnare insects and enzymes to digest them, and sessile glands that absorb the resulting nutrient soup.  Small prey, mainly consisting of insects, are attracted by the sweet secretions of the peduncular glands.  Upon touching these, the prey become entrapped by sticky mucilage which prevets their progress or escape.  Eventually, the prey either succumb to death through exhaustion or through aspysiation as the mucilage envelops them and clogs their spiracles.  Death usually occurs within one quarter of an hour.  The plant meanwhile secretes esterase, peroxidase, phosphatase and protease enzymes.  These enzymes both dissolve the insect and free the contained nutrients.  The nutrient soup is then absorbed through the leaf surface and can then be used to help fuel plant growth." (Wikipedia)