Definition

1. Noun:
   • A carnivorous plant species native to the western Mediterranean region, specifically Portugal, southern Spain, and Morocco. It is characterized by its adaptation to dry habitats, possessing leaves covered in glandular hairs that secrete both a sticky adhesive and digestive enzymes. This mechanism allows the plant to trap and digest insects, supplementing nutrients obtained from the poor soil in its environment. It is the sole species in its genus (Drosophyllum).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Drosophyllum lusitanicum is unusual among carnivorous plants because it thrives in arid, Mediterranean climates.
  • The sticky leaves of Drosophyllum lusitanicum glisten in the sun, attracting unsuspecting insects.
  • Botanists study Drosophyllum lusitanicum to understand the evolution of plant carnivory.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical taxonomy: The name is used in its full binomial form () to specify the exact species within the plant kingdom.
  • The specimen was conclusively identified as Drosophyllum lusitanicum.

Variants and Related Words

• Drosophyllum (n): The genus name to which this single species belongs.
• Portuguese sundew (n): A common name for , referencing its habitat and dew-like sticky secretions.
• Flypaper plant (n): Another common name describing its insect-trapping method.

Synonyms

• Portuguese sundew
• Flypaper plant

Related Phrases

• Carnivorous plant: The general category to which belongs.
• Glandular hairs: The specialized structures on its leaves responsible for secretion.
• Digestive fluid: The enzyme-rich secretion used to break down captured prey.

Noun

1. perennial of dry habitats whose leaves have glandular hairs that secrete adhesive and digestive fluid for capture and digestion of insects; Portugal, southern Spain and Morocco