Drosera

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Drosera (family Droseraceae) A genus of insectivorous herbs, often with creeping or tuberous (see TUBER) rhizomes, that have rosette leaves, the leaf blade being circular or elongated with stalked glands on the upper surface which secrete a sticky fluid on which insects become trapped. The plants are able to live in very poor soils but most of the extra nutrient obtained from the insects is devoted to seed production and is not essential to the survival of the plant. Drosera are usually found in acid bogs. Several species are cultivated for interest and ornament. There are about 80 species, with cosmopolitan distribution, but they are especially well represented in Australia and New Zealand.