Threadleaf sundew (Drosera filiformis, Med. Repos., ser. 2, 5: 360 (1808))

Family: Droseraceae

Author: Raf.

Bibliography: Med. Repos., ser. 2, 5: 360 (1808)

Year: 1808

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Drosera

Vegetable: False

Observations: Nova Scotia to E. U.S.A.

Description

Threadleaf sundew, known scientifically as Drosera filiformis, is a captivating carnivorous plant admired for its delicate, thread-like leaves coated with glistening, sticky droplets. Mentioned in the Medical Repository, Series 2, Volume 5, on page 360 in the year 1808 and described by Raf., this intriguing species belongs to the Droseraceae family.

Native to the coastal plains, you can find threadleaf sundew flourishing from Nova Scotia down through the eastern United States. It thrives in moist, acidic soils often found in boggy areas, where it employs a fascinating mechanism to capture and digest insects. The slender, elongated leaves of Drosera filiformis are covered in glandular hairs that exude a sticky, dew-like substance. This viscous fluid traps unsuspecting insects, which are subsequently digested by enzymes, providing the plant with essential nutrients often scarce in its native habitat.

The captivating appearance of the threadleaf sundew, with its slender, dew-tipped leaves, not only serves a functional purpose but also adds a unique aesthetic to its environment, drawing admiration from botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. This remarkable adaptation to nutrient-poor environments underscores the diverse and innovative survival strategies within the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Eng: dew-threads, dewthread, threadleaf sundew, thread-leaved sundew, dew-thread
Swe: trådsileshår
Fra: droséra filiforme, rossolis filiforme
En: Threadleaf sundew, Dewthread, Thread-Leaf Sundew, Dew-threads, Thread-leaved sundew, Dew-thread
Fr: Droséra filiforme, Rossolis filiforme
De: Fadenförmiger Sonnentau
Sv: Trådsileshår

Synonyms

• Filicirna filiformis ((Raf.) Raf.)
• Drosera filiformis var. typica (E.Reid)

Distribution

• Florida (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• West Virginia (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Sep 30, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Luis toño (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 13, 2009 by EOL − Ken-ichi Ueda (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 10, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2018 by Gaelle Chadeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 24, 2014 by EOL − Anita (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 15, 2010 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Mar 12, 2022 by Louwerens-Jan Nederlof (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2022 by ju go (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2021 by Carolin V. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Jordan H (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3191183)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30210809-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Drosera filiformis Raf.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth