This is the Falklands only insectivorous plant. It spreads over the ground, only reaching around 3cm high, and has white flowers with a yellow green centre. Leaves are round and covered in sticky red hairs making it appear red. The sticky hairs glisten in sunlight hence the name 'Sundew' and attract and trap tiny insects. They are digested in a substance released by the plant. Flowers January/ February.

Found in damp peaty areas by ponds and streams. Sundew is widespread on East and West Falkland, liking wet, open peat. It is also found on southern South America, Argentina and Chile.

Sources include:,Falkland Islands State of the Environment Report 2008 Otley H, Munro G, Clausen A, Ingham B. Wikipedia, Falklands Conservation, A Field Guide to the Wildlife of The Falkland Islands and South Georgia - Ian J Strange, Plants of the Falkland Islands- Ali Liddle, Flowering Plants of the Falkland Islands- Robin W. Woods, Field Guide to the Plants of the Falkland Islands- Thomas Heller, Rebecca Upston, Richard Lewis, edited by Colin Clubbe

Photographic credits: Ali Marsh

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