Details Top

Internal ID UUID644038c970063555557694
Scientific name Drosera spatulata
Authority Labill.
First published in Nov. Holl. Pl. 1: 79 (1805)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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General Uses Top

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Common products:
Drosera spatulata is cultivated and sold as an ornamental carnivorous plant for terrariums, alpine gardens, greenhouse displays, and educational exhibits. Its compact rosette (2–5 cm diameter) and glossy, sticky leaf surfaces make it attractive to hobbyists and botanical collections. The species is propagated commercially by seed and by division of the rosette; seed germination is achieved after a cold‑stratification period of 4–6 weeks at 4 °C, followed by sowing on a nutrient‑poor, well‑drained substrate (e.g., sphagnum peat mixed with silica sand or perlite). Vegetative division is typically performed in spring, producing clonal plantlets that retain the species’ characteristic morphology. The plant’s modest size and low nutrient requirements suit small‑scale terrarium setups and are frequently used in school science curricula to demonstrate carnivorous plant physiology.

In research, D. spatulata serves as a model organism for studies of glandular mucilage secretion, tentacle movement, and the biochemistry of carnivory. DNA sequences from the species (plastid markers such as rbcL, matK, and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region) are deposited in GenBank and employed in phylogenetic analyses that resolve relationships within the genus Drosera. The sticky droplets produced on the tentacles have been examined by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier‑transform infrared spectroscopy, providing data on the chemical nature of the mucopolysaccharide matrix. These investigations contribute to broader understanding of plant–insect adhesion mechanisms and the evolution of carnivory.

Properties relevant to use:
The leaf tentacles secrete a copious, transparent mucilage that forms a water‑retentive polysaccharide gel. This hydrogel exhibits high tack, allowing the plant to capture small arthropods, a property exploited in experimental studies of adhesion and rheology. Chemical analyses of the mucilage have identified arabinogalactan‑type polysaccharides and phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, which influence the gel’s stability and visual transparency. The rosette’s succulence confers tolerance to short periods of desiccation, facilitating transport and post‑sale handling. The small leaf size and low nutrient demand enable successful cultivation under controlled humidity (60–80 %) and moderate light intensity without supplemental feeding.

Sustainability and sourcing:
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assesses Drosera spatulata as Least Concern, indicating a stable wild population. The species is widely cultivated in horticultural facilities, providing the ornamental market with a reliable source and reducing pressure on wild specimens. Commercial trade is generally unrestricted, and cultivation practices follow established carnivorous‑plant horticulture guidelines (e.g., use of inert, nutrient‑poor substrates and high‑humidity environments). Propagation by seed and division supports sustainable production while maintaining genetic diversity.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Drosera spatulata var. gympiensis R.P.Gibson & I.Snyder Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 34: 56 (2005)
Drosera spatulata var. bakoensis A.Fleischm. & Chi.C.Lee Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 38: 4 (2009)
Drosera burmanni DC. Prodr. 1: 318 (1824)
Drosera loureiroi Hook. & Arn. Bot. Beechey Voy. : 167 (1833)
Drosera lovellae F.M.Bailey Bot. Bull. Dept. Agric. Queensland 7: 61 (1893)
Drosera propinqua R.Cunn. Ann. Nat. Hist. 4: 109 (1840)
Drosera spatulata var. loureiroi (Hook. & Arn.) Y.Z.Ruan Acta Phytotax. Sin. 19: 341 (1981)
Drosera triflora Colenso Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 22: 461 (1889 publ. 1890)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Japanese コモウセンゴケ
Korean 좀끈끈이주걱
Polish rosiczka łyżeczkowata
Slovenian žličasta rosika
Vietnamese bắt ruồi lá hình thìa
Chinese 匙叶茅膏菜
Chinese 小毛氈苔
Chinese 宽苞茅膏菜
Chinese 小毛毡苔

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-temperate
    • China
      • China Southeast
    • Eastern Asia
      • Japan
      • Korea
      • Nansei-shoto
      • Taiwan
  • Asia-tropical
    • Malesia
      • Borneo
      • Malaya
      • Philippines
      • Sumatera
    • Papuasia
      • New Guinea
  • Australasia
    • Australia
      • New South Wales
      • Queensland
      • Tasmania
      • Victoria
    • New Zealand
      • New Zealand North
      • New Zealand South

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000946185
Tropicos 11400006
INPN 1006010
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:321972-1
The Plant List kew-64589
Open Tree Of Life 775297
Observations.org 433902
NCBI Taxonomy 16681
IPNI 321972-1
iNaturalist 122208
GBIF 3191227
Freebase /m/076h12
EPPO DRSSP
EOL 2886788
Elurikkus 374572
Wikipedia Drosera_spatulata
CMAUP NPO11698

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_035668315.1 ASM3566831v1 Scaffold Iridian Genomes 2024-01-16 90 360.07 Mb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Chromosome-level genome assembly provides insights into the genome evolution and functional importance of the phenylpropanoid–flavonoid pathway in Thymus mongolicus Dang Z, Xu Y, Zhang X, Mi W, Chi Y, Tian Y, Liu Y, Ren W BMC Genomics 19-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10949689
doi:10.1186/s12864-024-10202-8
PMID:38504151
Plant-Microbe Interactions under the Extreme Habitats and Their Potential Applications Tiwari P, Bose SK, Park KI, Dufossé L, Fouillaud M Microorganisms 22-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10972407
doi:10.3390/microorganisms12030448
PMID:38543499
The Genome Sequences of 17 Species of Carnivorous Plants Procko C, Chory J, Pirro S Biodivers Genomes 14-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10662931
doi:10.56179/001c.90164
PMID:37990687
Molecular Phylogenomics Reveals the Deep Evolutionary History of Carnivory across Land Plants Fleck SJ, Jobson RW Plants (Basel) 22-Sep-2023
PMCID:PMC10574757
doi:10.3390/plants12193356
PMID:37836100
Biochemical and Biotechnological Insights into Fungus-Plant Interactions for Enhanced Sustainable Agricultural and Industrial Processes Giehl A, dos Santos AA, Cadamuro RD, Tadioto V, Guterres IZ, Prá Zuchi ID, Minussi GD, Fongaro G, Silva IT, Alves SL Jr Plants (Basel) 19-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10385130
doi:10.3390/plants12142688
PMID:37514302
Mutational analysis of mechanosensitive ion channels in the carnivorous Venus flytrap plant Procko C, Wong WM, Patel J, Reza Mousavi SA, Dabi T, Duque M, Baird L, Chalasani SH, Chory J Curr Biol 11-Jul-2023
PMCID:PMC10528943
doi:10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.048
PMID:37437572
Water Cannot Activate Traps of the Carnivorous Sundew Plant Drosera capensis: On the Trail of Darwin’s 150-Years-Old Mystery Pavlovič A, Vrobel O, Tarkowski P Plants (Basel) 28-Apr-2023
PMCID:PMC10181276
doi:10.3390/plants12091820
PMID:37176877
Plant growth-promoting properties of the phosphate-solubilizing red yeast Rhodosporidium paludigenum Chen YR, Kuo CY, Fu SF, Chou JY World J Microbiol Biotechnol 24-Dec-2022
PMCID:PMC9789928
doi:10.1007/s11274-022-03498-9
PMID:36565394
How the sensory system of carnivorous plants has evolved Pavlovič A Plant Commun 18-Oct-2022
PMCID:PMC9700200
doi:10.1016/j.xplc.2022.100462
PMID:36258665
Diversity of Endophytic Yeasts from Agricultural Fruits Positive for Phytohormone IAA Production Kachalkin A, Glushakova A, Streletskii R BioTech (Basel) 25-Aug-2022
PMCID:PMC9497158
doi:10.3390/biotech11030038
PMID:36134912
Dynamic calcium signals mediate the feeding response of the carnivorous sundew plant Procko C, Radin I, Hou C, Richardson RA, Haswell ES, Chory J Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 12-Jul-2022
PMCID:PMC9335315
doi:10.1073/pnas.2206433119
PMID:35858457
Plumeria alba-Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Exhibits Antimicrobial Effect and Anti-Oncogenic Activity against Glioblastoma U118 MG Cancer Cell Line Rudrappa M, Rudayni HA, Assiri RA, Bepari A, Basavarajappa DS, Nagaraja SK, Chakraborty B, Swamy PS, Agadi SN, Niazi SK, Nayaka S Nanomaterials (Basel) 30-Jan-2022
PMCID:PMC8839720
doi:10.3390/nano12030493
PMID:35159838
Exogenous Indole-3-Acetic Acid Induced Ethanol Tolerance in Phylogenetically Diverse Saccharomycetales Yeasts Hsiung RT, Chiu MC, Chou JY Microbes Environ 27-Jan-2022
PMCID:PMC8958292
doi:10.1264/jsme2.ME21053
PMID:35082178
Multifaceted phytogenic silver nanoparticles by an insectivorous plant Drosera spatulata Labill var. bakoensis and its potential therapeutic applications Gaddam SA, Kotakadi VS, Subramanyam GK, Penchalaneni J, Challagundla VN, DVR SG, Pasupuleti VR Sci Rep 09-Nov-2021
PMCID:PMC8578548
doi:10.1038/s41598-021-01281-8
PMID:34753977
Recent ecophysiological, biochemical and evolutional insights into plant carnivory Adamec L, Matušíková I, Pavlovič A Ann Bot 10-Jun-2021
PMCID:PMC8389183
doi:10.1093/aob/mcab071
PMID:34111238

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Eupatin 5317287 Click to see 360.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Patuletin 3-glucoside 11968829 Click to see 494.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 6-O-methylated flavonoids
[2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-4-oxochromen-3-yl] sulfate 21676165 Click to see 411.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Centaureidin 5315773 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(O2)C=C(C(=C3O)OC)O)OC)O 360.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Desmethoxycentaureidin 5469524 Click to see 330.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Hispidulin 5281628 Click to see 300.26 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
Artemetin 5320351 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)OC)OC 388.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Casticin 5315263 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)OC)O 374.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Eupatorin 97214 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=CC(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3O2)OC)OC)O)O 344.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Salvigenin 161271 Click to see 328.30 unknown via CMAUP database

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