Cape sundew

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, Drosera capeensis is a member of the Droseraceae family within the genus Drosera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across several distinct global regions. In its native habitat, it is found within the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa. Beyond Africa, the species also occurs naturally in the state of New South Wales in Australia. Furthermore, it has established a presence in the Southwestern United States, specifically within California. These diverse locations highlight the significant range inhabited by Drosera capensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Drosera capensis is defined by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitat, ranging from low-lying coastal or lowland areas to higher montane positions. Specifically, this species occupies an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 15 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 900 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant thrives in specialized niches characterized by nutrient-poor, acidic, and waterlogged substrates, such as fynbos heathlands or peat bogs, where its specialized survival strategies are most effective. The variation in elevation influences the local microclimates, affecting moisture availability and temperature fluctuations that the species must navigate across its broad altitudinal span.

Elevational range max:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

15 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Drosera capensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a plant that maintains its vital structures close to the ground, it adopts a chamaephyte life form, typically growing in low-lying rosettes that can withstand certain environmental fluctuations. This perennial nature enables the species to establish long-term presence in its native habitats, cycling through stages of vegetative growth and seasonal reproduction over many years.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Drosera capeensis is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This species is self-supporting rather than a climber or vine, maintaining a compact structure that reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.44 m. It functions as an independent organism, lacking parasitic tendencies, and is primarily terrestrial in its ecological habit, though it can inhabit semiaquatic or aquatic environments. As a non-woody plant, it lacks significant lignification, contributing to its delicate herbaceous stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.44 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Drosera capensis is characterized by a specialized metabolic and morphological framework adapted for nutrient-poor environments. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation, relying on standard enzymatic processes to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into energy. Morphologically, the plant exhibits specific dimensional constraints in its foliage, with a maximum leaf length reaching 3.5 cm and a maximum leaf width of 0.4 cm. These physical dimensions, combined with its photosynthetic strategy, support its complex physiological functions, particularly its ability to supplement nitrogen uptake through specialized leaf structures.

Leaf length max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Drosera capeensis is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and specialized fruit development. The flowering period for this species typically commences in August and continues through the months until it concludes in May, representing a broad window of reproductive activity. Following successful pollination, the plant produces a capsule as its fruit type. This capsule is classified as dehiscence, meaning it is dehiscence-oriented and will split open at maturity to facilitate the dispersal of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flowering time :

Aug

Flowering time :

May

Fruit type :

capsule

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Drosera capensis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Jasmonic acid, NAPHTHOQUINONE, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Jasmonic acid

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

NAPHTHOQUINONE

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Drosera capensis has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Mycobacterium smegmatis, asthma, cough, eczema, infections.

Mycobacterium smegmatis

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Asthma

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Cough

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Eczema

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Infections

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Tuberculosis

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)