Commonly known as Portuguese sundew or dewy pine, Drosophyllum lusitanicum is a popular carnivorous plant and the only representative of its genus – Drosophyllum – and its family – Drosophyllaceae.
The word pine in its common name matches this plant’s appearance in its “childhood”. When young, this plant resembles small pines. As it grows, the leaves dry out and attach to the trunk and the plant grows tall, resembling a small bush.
One of the most distinguishing traits of this plant lies in the fact that it is carnivorous. The dewy pine feeds on small insects that get “stuck” to this plant covered with sticky cuticles. This cover creates a sweet odour along its leaves, which is central to the attraction of insects.
Subsequently, the digestion process begins, taking place outside the plant through the action of digestive enzymes. This process can take from 24 hours to 8 days.
This feeding method provides Drosophyllum lusitanicum with the necessary nutrients to survive usually lacking in this plant’s habitats.
The dewy pine menu includes spiders and small insects such as flies, ants and mosquitoes. Not even small butterflies are “safe” from this voracious appetite plant.
Resilient but sensitive
This species occurs naturally only in Portugal, Spain and North Morocco. Of all these places, Portugal is the country where this plant is much more widespread, growing all over the national territory.
It is usually found in hard environments, such as sandy and/or dry places, forest clearings (heaths), heathlands and pine forests. This plant survives given its feeding method and the huge length of its roots, which have large ramifications. However, albeit resilient, the dewy pine is very sensitive, mostly its roots. Any type of disturbance can be lethal.
Flowering occurs during Spring resulting in bright yellow flowers with an open capsule at the top containing up to 10 black seeds.
The dewy pine is classified as vulnerable to extinction in mainland Portugal, according to the IUCN criteria.
This classification derives from the fact that the national population of this carnivorous plant does not exceed 2,500 individuals and is in a continuous decline.
There are around 600 species of carnivorous plants worldwide, classified into 14 different genera. In Portugal, it’s one of the 8 native carnivorous plants.
Did you know that…
Drosophyllum lusitanicum
Drosophyllum
Drosophyllaceae
It can be found in wild places with poor, stony or sandy soils, usually dry and in forest clearings (heaths), pine forests, heaths, dense forests, etc. stand out.
It occurs in Portugal, Spain and Northern Morocco.
According to the IUCN criteria, Vulnerable.
It can reach up to 45 cm in height
Perennial plant
Five dewy pine cores were identified in the over 112,000 hectares of forests managed by The Navigator Company in five different properties.
The estates where these carnivorous plants grow are in the southwestern Alentejo region and the River Tagus heathland area.
Occasionally, to foster the establishment of clearings, which are necessary for the survival of this species classified as “Vulnerable”, vegetation cuts are performed strategically. The suitability of this species’ habitat is a priority for us.
