Sundew.
by Chris Kusik
Title
Sundew.
Artist
Chris Kusik
Medium
Photograph - Digital
Description
As I gaze across the vast expanse of the Florida prairie I notice distinct patches of red contrasting with the green wiregrass and sedges common to the prairie. It's been a good year for the sundews, with a typically wet summer, the low-lying areas of the prairie will remain saturated with water for the rest of the year. Insects are abundant and with plenty of water these carnivorous plants will thrive. Sundews, comprise one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants, with at least 194 species. The plants lure, capture, and digest insects using stalked mucilaginous (a thick sticky substance) glands covering their leaf surfaces. The insects are used to supplement the poor mineral nutrition of the soil in which they grow. Small prey, mainly consisting of insects, are attracted by the sweet secretions of the peduncular glands. Upon touching these, the prey become entrapped by sticky mucilage which prevents their escape. Eventually, the prey either succumb to death through exhaustion or through asphyxiation as the mucilage envelops them and clogs the openings to their respiratory systems. Death usually occurs within 15 minutes The plant meanwhile secretes enzymes that both dissolve the insect and free the contained nutrients. The nutrient soup is then absorbed through the leaf surfaces and can then be used to help fuel plant growth. Sundews can live for up to half a century.
Uploaded
August 19th, 2013
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