Question 1

True or false: Sundews can absorb nutrients directly from soil like normal plants.

Accepted Answer

False. Sundews evolved in nutrient-poor soils and rely on insects for nitrogen; their roots mainly anchor, not feed.

Question 2

True or false: Sundews can digest insects using sticky droplets that look like morning dew.

Accepted Answer

True. Sundews produce mucilaginous droplets that trap prey, then enzymes digest them—a true carnivorous adaptation.

Question 3

True or false: Sundews only grow in tropical rainforests with high humidity.

Accepted Answer

False. Sundews thrive on every continent except Antarctica, from bogs in Siberia to deserts in Australia.

Question 4

True or false: Sundew flowers are designed to avoid trapping pollinators like bees.

Accepted Answer

True. Sundews raise their flowers on tall stalks far from sticky leaves, preventing accidental pollination casualties.

Question 5

True or false: Sundew leaves curl around prey within seconds of contact.

Accepted Answer

False. Sundew tentacles move slowly, taking minutes to hours to curl around prey—not instantly like a Venus flytrap.

Question 6

True or false: Some sundew species can survive wildfires by regrowing from underground roots.

Accepted Answer

True. Certain sundews, like Drosera zonaria, have thick rootstocks that resprout after fire, a rare survival trait.

Question 7

True or false: The smallest sundew species is smaller than a human fingernail.

Accepted Answer

True. Drosera pygmaea, a pygmy sundew, measures just 1–2 cm across—tiny enough to fit on a pinky nail.

Question 8

True or false: Sundews produce nectar to attract prey to their sticky traps.

Accepted Answer

False. The glistening droplets are not nectar but digestive mucilage; prey are lured by reflection and scent, not sweet rewards.

Sundew Trivia Questions