Drosophyllum Lusitanicum
Drosophyllum is a type of carnivorous plant having a single genre, Drosophyllum lusitanicum (Portuguese sundew or dewy pine). It looks akin to the related group Drosera (the sundews) and to the more distant cousin Byblis (the rainbow plants).
Portuguese sundew Quick Facts
| Common name | Portuguese sundew |
| Scientific name | Drosophyllum lusitanicum |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Drosophyllaceae |
| Genus | Drosophyllum |
| Type | Carnivorous plant with sticky, dew-covered leaves |
| Diet | Carnivore: insects stuck to sticky leaves |
| Habitat | Dry, alkaline soils |
| Native range | Western Mediterranean: Morocco, Portugal, Spain |
| Size | Leaves 20–40 cm long |
| Colours | Bright yellow flowers up to 4 cm wide |
| Flowering season | February to May |
| Kingdom | Plantae (Plants) |
| (Unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (Unranked): | Eudicots |
| (Unranked): | Core Eudicots |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Drosophyllaceae Chrtek, Slavikova & Studnicka |
| Genus | Drosophyllum Link |
| Species | Drosophyllum |
Natural Habitat
The species Drosophyllum lusitanicum inhabits the western Mediterranean region, mainly Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. This is among the few carnivorous plants that grow in dry, alkaline soils. Its glandular leaves of size 20 to 40 cm (8- to 16-in) uncoil from an inner rosette. Quite like most sundews, these are unable to move but have the unusual trait of coiling out when not fully formed (outward circinate vernation.)
How the Traps Work
The Drosophyllum lusitanicum has a discrete sweet aroma that attracts the insects that form its food. On landing on its leaves, the insects stick to the mucilage oozed by the stalked glands on the leaves. As the insects increasingly try to wriggle out, escape becomes difficult until they die due to exhaustion or suffocation. Then, the plant produces enzymes that liquefy the insects and discharge the nutrients that the plants absorb. The nutrients complement the nutrient-lacking soil in which this plant grows.
Germination
In its local habitat, flowering takes place from February to May, though at times a delay can occur. The bright yellow, usual, quinate flowers could have a diameter of up to 4 cm and appear in groups of 3 – 15. It is rare to see a flower growing independently. It takes about a month for the seed to mature in its cone-shaped lucent seedpod, exposing opaque black, ridged pear-shaped seeds, having a diameter of about 2.5 mm. One seedpod may hold 3-10 seeds. Slowly, the wind shakes out seed for several months. Seeds germinate with the onset of first autumn rains. Seedlings grow rapidly and in their local environment, flower in the second year. The seeds that you store for many years show a high rate of germination.
Tips for Domestic Cultivation
Container selection
Use tall pots of terracotta or glazed ceramic pots for planting the Drosophyllum that measure 8” across and 12 “ high, and additionally choose a beautiful pot that can house the plant for life. Close attention and proper care are the basic essentials for a long and healthy plant life.
Substrate
You must remember to make sure to provide a proper substrate, preferably containing a mix of equal portions of 1/8 peat and vermiculite with 1/4 perlite and 1/2 portion silica sand. Take special care about good drainage as these plants do not grow in acidic wet soils, and instead grows in dry alkaline soils in their natural habitat.
- Seed Germination in Captivity
- Their seeds are hard and you will have first to rub the seeds between two fine sheets of sandpaper slightly to remove the coating, after which, soak them in distilled water for 24 hours.
- Sowing these seeds in a shallow germinating tray with vermiculite, and storing in a warm, wed and bright place will produce good results. In this process, make sure that you neither cover the seeds nor bury them deep, and you will find them germinating within a few weeks.
- Immediately after germination, shift the sprouting seeds to a 5 cm diameter compostable pot filled with Drosophyllum soil mix. Until the seedlings attain a height of 3 to 4 inches, continue providing sufficient moisture in the substrate. Thereafter, you can slowly reduce the watering frequency, just to keep the soil damp.
Portuguese sundew FAQs
What is the Portuguese sundew?
The Portuguese sundew, also called dewy pine, is a carnivorous plant from the western Mediterranean. It looks like the sundews, but it is the only plant in its own genus.
How does the Portuguese sundew catch insects?
Its sweet smell draws insects to the leaves, where they get stuck in sticky mucilage from stalked glands. The insects wear out, and the plant then makes enzymes that turn them into a liquid it can absorb.
Where does the Portuguese sundew grow?
It grows in Morocco, Portugal and Spain, in the western Mediterranean. Unlike most carnivorous plants, it lives in dry, alkaline soil rather than wet bogs.
When does the Portuguese sundew flower?
In its home area it flowers from February to May. The bright yellow flowers are up to 4 cm across and usually grow in groups of 3 to 15.
How do you grow Portuguese sundew from seed?
The seeds are hard, so rub them gently with fine sandpaper and soak them in distilled water for 24 hours. Then lay them on top of damp vermiculite in a warm, bright place and they should sprout in a few weeks.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
