Sundew Drosera Capillaris, Poir. (Native). The name was derived because the hairs of the sundew secrete droplets of sticky fluids resembling dew.
IN THE peat bog of Mason River, Clarendon, plants have "turned the tables" on the animal kingdom -- becoming the hunter, rather than the hunted.
To survive, the Venus Flytrap and Sundew, two varieties of the Pitcher Plant; and Bladderwort have found wily ways of attracting, capturing and killing animal life forms, so as to digest and absorb nutrients from them. These are called carnivorous plants. Although, in this case, the hunters are not able to move from one point to another they use traps (which are modified plant parts) to ensnare their prey.
THE EXPLANATION
Carnivorous plants have found a novel way of adapting themselves to survive in their nutrient deficient environment. These adaptations vary in complexity from plant to plant but they all serve the same purpose.
Carnivorous plants do not survive solely by "eating" insects and other prey, however. As with all green plants they contain chlorophyll and manufacture sugar (from which they derive their energy) via photosynthesis. Insects and other small creatures are thus, simply a supplemental food source for carnivorous plants which are then able to thrive in acid bogs, savannahs and brown-water marshes which are habitats lacking in mineral rich soils.
TWO TYPES OF TRAPS
There are also two forms of traps used by these carnivorous plants. These are the active traps, which consist of two variations closing traps and trap doors, and the Passive traps, which comprise the Pitfalls, Flypaper and Adhesive varieties.
Article prepared by Keron Campbell, Botany Department of the Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica and is available in its entirety on the Internet at www.jamaicachm. org.jm. To visit the Mason River field station, contact the Natural History Division of the Institute.
LOCATION: Mason River, on the border of Clarendon and St. Ann. The closest town of note is Kellits, Clarendon
GEOGRAPHY/GEOLOGY: The area is 2,500 feet above sea level. It's made up of wet lands and scrub areas. The soil is lacking in minerals, particularly nitrogen, that plants need to thrive, hence the carnivorous fly-eating) habit of some area plants.
WHAT ELSE: The area is a farming community with sugar cane and cash crops close to Kellits, Clarendon
