Drosera Binata
Drosera binata
Drosera binata, the Forked Sundew, is a large, perennial carnivorous plant native to the bogs and wetlands of south-eastern Australia and New Zealand. Unlike most sundews it produces extraordinary, dichotomously forked leaves rather than rosettes, and bears elegant white flowers on tall red scapes above the glistening, insect-trapping foliage. It symbolizes hidden strength, remarkable adaptation, and the beautiful strangeness of nature.
Droseraceae (Sundew family)
Spring to summer (October to February in the Southern Hemisphere); summer in the Northern Hemisphere (June to September)
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: desmodiums and cephalotus folliculariss also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Drosera binata holds a distinguished place in the history of science. It was among the carnivorous plants used by Charles Darwin in his groundbreaking 1875 study Insectivorous Plants, which was the first scientific work to confirm and document the carnivorous behaviour of plants. Darwin was so fascinated by sundews that he famously wrote in 1860 that at the present moment he cared more about Drosera than the origin of all the species in the world. The genus name Drosera derives from the Greek drosos meaning "dew" or "dewdrops," referring to the glistening drops of mucilaginous digestive fluid that stud the glandular hairs of the leaves and resemble morning dew in sunlight. The species name binata is Latin for "having pairs," a direct reference to the distinctive forked leaves. Within carnivorous plant culture worldwide, D. binata is celebrated as one of the most elegant and impressive of all sundew species, with its extraordinary multi-forked leaf forms inspiring names such as Staghorn Sundew and Marston's Dragon.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; more sun encourages redder, more vibrant foliage and better insect capture. Can be grown indoors on a very bright, sunny windowsill.
Water
Requires consistently moist to wet, nutrient-free water at all times. Use the tray method: sit the pot in a shallow tray of distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water and keep the tray topped up. Never use tap water, which contains minerals that can harm or kill the plant.
Soil
Peat, Sphagnum moss, Peat and sand mix (1:1), Nutrient-free, acidic, waterlogged media; never use potting mixes or garden soil with added nutrients
Expert Growing Tips
Use only distilled water, rainwater, or reverse osmosis water; tap water minerals will kill the plant
Grow in a nutrient-free, acidic medium such as a 1:1 mix of sphagnum peat moss and horticultural sand or perlite
Use the tray watering method: keep the pot sitting in 2-3 cm of distilled water at all times
Do not fertilise through the soil; the plant obtains nutrients by digesting insects; occasional light foliar application of diluted fertiliser to the leaves is acceptable
Most forms require a winter dormancy period; reduce watering and move to a cool, bright location from late autumn to late winter
Propagate by root cuttings or leaf cuttings placed on the surface of moist peat; new plants develop within a few weeks
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Feature specimen in carnivorous plant collections and bog gardens
- Terrarium and vivarium planting
- Indoor container plant on a bright, sunny windowsill
- Educational garden plantings to demonstrate plant carnivory
- Novelty and conversation plant in outdoor planted areas in suitable climates
- Companion planting with other carnivorous plants such as Sarracenia and Pinguicula
Traditional Uses
- Charles Darwin used Drosera binata extensively in his landmark 1875 work Insectivorous Plants, which first comprehensively documented carnivorous plant mechanisms
- Drosera mucilage is under ongoing biomaterials research for its remarkable elastic properties and nanofibre content
- Sundew plants in general have been used in traditional European herbal medicine for chest complaints and whooping cough, though D. binata itself has no well-documented specific medicinal uses
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Drosera Binata
What makes Drosera binata different from other sundews?
Unlike most sundews, which produce flat or cupped rosettes of rounded leaves, Drosera binata produces long, upright, narrow leaves that fork dichotomously (into a Y-shape) at their tips. Some forms fork multiple times, producing four, eight, sixteen, or even more leaf tips, giving rise to the names Staghorn Sundew and Marston's Dragon for the more extreme cultivated forms.
How does Drosera binata catch insects?
Drosera binata traps insects using glandular trichomes (tentacles) covering its leaves. Each tentacle is tipped with a glistening drop of sticky mucilaginous fluid that looks like dew in sunlight. When an insect lands on a leaf, it becomes trapped in the mucilage. The leaf and its tentacles slowly curl inward to maximise contact with the prey, and digestive enzymes dissolve the soft tissue, releasing nutrients that the plant absorbs.
What does Drosera binata symbolize?
Drosera binata symbolizes hidden strength, remarkable adaptation, and the fascinating complexity that nature can achieve. Its gentle appearance belies its predatory nature, making it a symbol of the surprising power found in small, seemingly delicate things. It also represents scientific curiosity, having inspired Charles Darwin's landmark studies of carnivorous plants.
Can Drosera binata be grown indoors?
Yes, Drosera binata grows well indoors on a very bright, sunny windowsill or under strong grow lights. It requires nutrient-free water (distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis water only), a nutrient-free peat and sand growing medium, and consistently moist conditions via the tray watering method. Most forms need a cooler dormancy period in winter.
Where is Drosera binata native to?
Drosera binata is native to south-eastern Australia, from Fraser Island in Queensland south through New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania to the south-east corner of South Australia. It is also widespread in New Zealand on both the North and South Islands and on Stewart Island, growing in coastal bogs and wetlands below 1,000 m elevation.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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