Acmhainní Oideachais do Scoileanna.
Plandaí Feoilsúiteach an Portach
Carnivorous Bog Plants
Carnivorous Bog Plants in Ireland
Have you ever heard of plants that eat insects? In the boggy lands of Ireland, there are special plants known as carnivorous bog plants that do just that!
One fascinating carnivorous plant found in Ireland is An Drúchtín Móna, the round-leaved sundew. As its name suggests, this plant has small round leaves covered in sticky hairs. When an unsuspecting insect lands on the leaf, it becomes stuck to the sticky hairs, and the sundew slowly wraps around it to digest its meal. The translation of the Irish name is ‘a Light dew’ or ‘Dewdrop; bead, bubble’.
These carnivorous bog plants have adapted to survive in nutrient-poor environments by supplementing their diet with insects. The next time you visit Errigal, keep an eye out for these amazing plants that eat bugs!
Eolas ar Plandaí Feoilsúiteach
Ask about Ireland - An Drúchtín Móna / Round Leafed Sundew
Ask about Ireland - An Bodán Meascáin / Common Butterworth
Irish Peatland Conservation Council - Carnivorous Plants – Killers in the Bog
Wildflowers of Ireland - Drúchtín Móna / Round Leaf Sundew
Wildflowers of Ireland - Cailís Mhuire / Oblong Leafed Sundew
Wildflowers of Ireland - Bodán Meascáin / Common Butterworth
Wildflowers of Ireland - Leith Uisce / Large-flowered Butterwort
An Drúchtín / The Sundew
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How does the Sundew survive in the bog?
The Sundew is a fascinating plant that thrives in bogs, which are wet, marshy areas where the soil is often poor in nutrients. One of the main challenges for plants in a bog is that the soil doesn't provide enough food, especially nitrogen, which is essential for growth.
To survive, sundew has developed a unique way to obtain the nutrients it needs. The leaves of the sundew are covered in tiny, sticky hairs that look like dewdrops. These hairs trap insects that come into contact with them. When an unsuspecting insect gets stuck, the sundew's leaves slowly curl around it. This process helps the plant digest the insect using special enzymes.
Once the insect is broken down, sundew absorbs the nutrients released into the soil. This allows the plant to get the nitrogen and other elements it needs to grow healthy and strong. So, in a way, sundew acts like a tiny carnivore in the bog, using its special adaptations to survive in a challenging environment.
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What colour is the Sundew?
The sundew is a fascinating plant that is often thought to be red, but it is actually mostly green. This confusion comes from how the plant interacts with sunlight. The leaves of the sundew are usually green as they contain chlorophyll, which helps the plant make food through a process called photosynthesis.
However, in certain conditions, like when there is a lot of sunlight, sundew plants can develop a reddish or purple tint. This happens because they produce special pigments to protect themselves from too much sunlight, much like how we wear sunscreen to protect our skin.
Additionally, the sticky hairs on the leaves glisten and catch the light, which can make the plant appear even more colorful. The plant's overall color can change based on the soil it grows in, how much light it gets, and the amount of moisture available. So, while sundews might look red sometimes, their true color is green, and it can change based on their environment.
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Where to find Sundew?
Sundew plants grow in wetlands, which are areas where water is present either at or near the surface of the soil. These habitats include bogs, marshes, and swamps. Sundews prefer acidic and nutrient-poor environments, where other plants struggle to grow.
In these habitats, the soil is usually soft and damp. Sundews need a lot of sunlight, so you often find them in clearings or open spaces rather than in dense forests. Their leaves are covered in tiny, sticky droplets that catch insects, helping them obtain the nutrients they need to survive. These unique adaptations allow sundews to thrive in conditions that might not support many other plants.
Físeáin / Videos
