Drosera rotundiflora (Common sundew)

c. 1890

Historical Brendel Plant Models, Botany Department, University of Otago

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Look a little closer and you will see the fly trapped within the leaf of this carnivorous plant, Drosera rotundiflora or common sundew. These plants are found in the wetland areas of Europe, Siberia, Japan, North America and the island of New Guinea. The top of each leaf is covered in tiny red hairs that secrete a sweet, sticky mucus which attracts insects. Studies have shown that extracts of the plant exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and anti-angiogenic (useful in the treatment of cancer) properties.