Which sundew species is commonly called the round-leaved sundew?

Which sundew species is commonly called the round-leaved sundew? Drosera rotundifolia is the round-leaved sundew.

Its common name describes the rounded blades arranged in a low basal rosette. The leaf surfaces carry red, gland-tipped tentacles that secrete sticky mucilage. Small insects become trapped in the glistening droplets, after which the plant’s enzymes break down their bodies and release nutrients, especially nitrogen.

Drosera rotundifolia is one of the most widespread sundews. It occurs across much of the circumboreal region, including Europe, Siberia, North America, Korea and Japan, with additional southern populations. Typical habitats include acidic Sphagnum bogs, marshes, fens and wet shorelines where soil nutrients are limited.

A frequent mix-up is calling every sundew “round-leaved.” Other Drosera species have linear, forked or spoon-shaped leaves. In winter, this species survives cold conditions by forming a compact hibernaculum, a tightly curled resting bud. It is also known as the common sundew or roundleaf sundew.