Drosera yutajensis facts for kids

Drosera yutajensis is a very special and rare type of carnivorous plant. It belongs to the Drosera genus, also known as sundews. This plant is found only in Venezuela, making it endemic to that country.

What is Drosera yutajensis?

Drosera yutajensis is a fascinating carnivorous plant. Like other sundews, it catches insects using sticky, glistening drops on its leaves. These drops look like dew, which is how sundews get their name. The plant uses the nutrients from these insects to grow, especially in poor soils.

This species is closely related to two other sundew plants. These are D. villosa and D. arenicola. Scientists study these relationships to understand how plants evolve.

Where Does it Live?

Drosera yutajensis grows only in Venezuela. Specifically, it is found in the Valley of Rio Coro-Coro. It likes to live in moist, sandy areas. These areas are usually made of sandstone rock.

You can find this plant near sources of water. It grows at different heights, from about 600 metres (1,970 ft) to 1,800 metres (5,910 ft) above sea level. This means it lives in mountain areas.

How Was it Discovered?

Scientists first collected Drosera yutajensis in 1987. However, it took some time for it to be officially named. Rodrigo Duno de Stefano and Alastair Culham formally described it in 1995. They published their findings in a science journal called Novon. This is how new species are often introduced to the world.

See Also

In Spanish: Drosera yutajensis para niños

• List of Drosera species
• Taxonomy of Drosera