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Drosera
sp.- Sundew (Droseraceae)
About 100 species of carnivorous, mostly perennial herbs of
wet places, of worldwide distribution, especially abundant in
S. Hemisphere.
The leaf is covered with purple, glandular hairs. Glandular
hairs secrete glistening dew-like droplets of sticky fluid or
mucilage. Insects are trapped by these droplets and digested
by enzymes (at least six enzymes) produced by the leaves. Nutrients
released from prey into mucilage are resorbed by the same glands
which secreted the digestive enzymes.
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