sundew

American  

[suhn-doo, -dyoo] / ˈsʌnˌdu, -ˌdyu /

noun

1. any of several small, carnivorous bog plants of the genus Drosera, having sticky hairs that trap insects.

---

sundew British  

/ ˈsʌnˌdjuː /

noun

1. any of several bog plants of the genus Drosera, having leaves covered with sticky hairs that trap and digest insects: family Droseraceae

---

Etymology

Origin of sundew

1570–80; < Dutch sondauw (compare German Sonnentau ), translation of Latin rōs sōlis dew of the sun

Example Sentences

To which a sagacious sundew might well have replied, Thanks, but I’ll take a damselfly instead.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2015

With the bulk of its rosy, sticky tentacles enfolding trapped prey, the sundew stalks resemble nothing so much as giant insect kebabs.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2015

With stems reaching five feet long, Drosera magnifica practically qualifies for a turn on “Little Shop of Horrors” and is the largest sundew species in the Americas.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2015

After seeing photographs of the plant posted by an amateur naturalist on Facebook, the researchers traveled to the specified location, on a lone mountain in southeastern Brazil, and confirmed the sundew was new to science.

From New York Times • Sep. 14, 2015

Vrosera, also called sundew, fascinated Charles for its carnivorous eating habits.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman