Cape sundew

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The Cape sundew (Drosera capensis) is a carnivorous plant in the family Droseraceae. Like the Alice sundew, it is native to the Cape of South Africa, and is probably one of the most common sundews in cultivation. D. capensis produces strap-like leaves, up to 5 cm long, and 0.5 cm wide, which, as in all sundews, are covered in brightly coloured tentacles which secrete a sticky mucilage that traps insects. When insects are first trapped, the leaves roll lengthwise by thigmotropism, which helps retain the prey item. The plant has a tendency to retain the dead leaves of previous seasons, and the main stem of the plant can become quite long and woody with time.

In early summer, D. capensis produces small, pink flowers at the end of scapes, which can be up to 30 cm tall. The plant produces copious quantities of very small, spindle-shaped seeds, which are released from the capsules that form when the flower has died. Under horticultural conditions, carnivorous plant enthusiasts find that these seeds have a tendency to land in and germinate in all surrounding pots, giving D. capensis a reputation as a plant that is just a little too easy to grow.

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