DROSERA Meaning and
Definition
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Drosera is a genus of carnivorous plants commonly known as sundews, belonging to the family Droseraceae. This diverse and widespread genus includes more than 194 recognized species, making it one of the largest groups of carnivorous plants. Sundews are primarily found in regions with nutrient-poor soils across the globe, with a higher concentration in Australia and Africa.
Drosera plants possess small, rosette-like structures with spoon-shaped leaves that are covered in numerous glandular hairs. These hairs secrete sticky mucilage, which glistens like dew and gives the plants their colloquial name "sundew." The mucilage helps trap insects, such as flies, mosquitoes, and ants, lured by the scent and appearance of the glistening droplets.
Once an insect lands on the leaves, it becomes ensnared by the adhesive substance. The tentacle-like hairs on the leaves move slowly towards the trapped prey, and within a matter of hours, the entire leaf may wrap itself around the hapless insect, preventing escape. Digestive enzymes are then secreted to break down the captured prey, ultimately absorbing the nutrients into the plant's leaf.
Sundews are known for their ability to thrive in nutrient-deficient environments by supplementing their diet with the nutrients obtained from the captured insects. This unique adaptation has allowed drosera species to flourish in areas where other plants struggle to survive.
In addition to their ecological significance, sundews have also been studied for their potential medicinal applications, particularly in folk medicine, due to their alleged anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
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Sundew, youth-wort. The dried plant, Drosera rotundifolia, D. intermedia, or D. longifolia, employed in the treatment of chronic bronchitis and other respiratory affections, in doses of 31 (4.0) of the fluidextract.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for DROSERA
- srosera
- xrosera
- crosera
- frosera
- rrosera
- erosera
- deosera
- ddosera
- dfosera
- dtosera
- d5osera
- d4osera
- drisera
- drksera
- drlsera
- drpsera
- dr0sera
- dr9sera
- droaera
Etymology of DROSERA
The word Drosera is derived from the Greek word drosos, meaning dew, and the suffix -era, which denotes a connection or resemblance. This name was given to the plant because of the glistening appearance of its leaves caused by the sticky mucilage secreted. These droplets resemble the appearance of dew on the leaves, hence the name Drosera.
Similar spelling words for DROSERA
- dress rack,
- dreger,
- dresser,
- drescher,
- drucker,
- dresher,
- drager,
- dragger,
- drixoral,
- dreiser,
- draeger.
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