Sundews (Drosera L.) form a genus of carnivorous plants, composed of about 150 species, belonging to the family Droseraceae, of which there are three species in Poland: round-leaved sundew (D. rotundifolia L.), great sundew (D. anglica), oblong-leaved sundew (D. intermedia). These carnivorous sundews are small perennials with rosettes of small, reddish leaves and erect flowering stems, which are longer than the leaves. The leaves of sundews are a survival strategy for this plant in the nutrient-poor habitats where the only source of nutrients is rainwater from which nutrient assimilation is not efficient. The leaves are covered with numerous coryneform hairs which lure insects and then hold the bodies while digesting them. Sundews are circumpolar in distribution, occuring in Asia, Europe and North America. In Poland, sundews occur primarily in the lowlands, and, rarely, in mountain situations. One of them, such as round-leaved sundew can occur in the high transitional peat bogs situated in such areas as Południoworoztoczański Landscape Park and more specifically on the "Źródła Tanwi" nature reserve and in Pogórze Przemyskie Landscape Park, where they are also present in the "Broduszurki" reserve. Sundews grow well in swampy forests, wet heaths and on the banks of dystrophic lakes. All species of sundews occurring in Poland - (D. rotundifolia L., D. anglica and D. intermedia) are listed as protected species. Sundew protection was established in Poland by the first species protection regulation in 1946 and has been maintained in subsequent legislation.
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