Studland Sundews

Great Sundew
Great Sundew
There can’t be too many other areas of England where you can find all 3 of our native Sundews growing together in the same bog. The long strap shaped leaves and short flower stalk help to identify this one as the Great or English Sundew. Unusually for sundews it will tolerate calcium rich soils.
Strap shaped leaves of the Great Sundew Great Sundew in flower
Note the length of the leaves In contrast to our other native Sundews the flowers are typically held just above the leaves.
The Fork-leaved Sundew - Drosera binata The Fork-leaved Sundew - a long way from home !
The non-native, Fork-leaved Sundew originally from Australia and New Zealand . The forked leaves are unique amongst the Sundews Far stronger growing than our native species and capable of competing with the grasses at the edge of the bog.
Oblong or Spoon leaved Sundew Round leaved Sundew and Damselfly
Oblong-leaved Sundew
The second of our native Sundews. Also known as the Spoon-leaved Sundew. The flower stalk is typically up to 15cm high.
Round leaved Sundew and Damselfly
The third and probably most common of our native Sundews. Capable of catching insects up to the size of a damselfly

I did think about releasing the damselfly but in reality it was close to exhaustion and the wings would probably have been damaged anyway.  In common with all Sundews the dead insect will soon be digested by enzymes released by the plant. The  nutrient rich solution will then be absorbed  by the Sundew to supplement the poor mineral nutrition of the bog.

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