Sundews and the Pollinator-Prey Conflict!

     A "pollinator-prey conflict" arises in sundews, because they need insects both as pollinators for reproduction and as prey to acquire nutrients from nutrient-poor soil, creating a potential dilemma where they might trap and consume the very insects that help them pollinate their flowers.  To mitigate this, many sundew species have evolved adaptations like spatially separating their flowers from their sticky traps, allowing them to attract pollinators without significantly risking their capture. 

The beginning of a flower stalk on Drosera capensis aka Cape Sundew

Flower stalk on Drosera capensis aka Cape Sundew

Flower stalk on Drosera capensis aka Cape Sundew

     This sundew is growing a flower stalk that will be much taller than it's sticky leaves.  The bloom stalk has a row of buds.

Flower stalk on Drosera capensis aka Cape Sundew

Flower on Drosera capensis aka Cape Sundew

      The stalk can hold a dozen or more flowers, one bloom opening every day or so. The white flowers are up to 3/4 inch in diameter.

Blooming Drosera capensis aka Cape Sundew

     This plant is self-pollinating, so there are plenty of these plants growing in my collection.  I remove almost all of the bloom stalks so  more energy can go into growing the plant.

Blooming Drosera capensis aka Cape Sundew