Pronounced (approximate): DROSS-er-ah roh-tun-dih-FOH-lee-ah
Nearly round leaf blades carry red, sticky gland-tipped hairs. Leaves form a low rosette on slender stalks.
Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia): round sticky leaves above sphagnum. Tap the photo to open the gallery.
Family Droseraceae
Life cycle Perennial wildflower
Blooms Summer
Height Low rosette; flower stalks several inches tall
Habitat Sphagnum bogs, wet peat, and acidic wetland margins
Other common names
Round-leaved Sundew
Bloom timing and height vary by region. Native status refers to North America; see the range notes below.
Explore reported observations. Sightings are not a complete range map.
Sphagnum bogs, wet peat, and acidic wetland margins. Flowering season: summer.
The sticky droplets trap small invertebrates, providing nutrients in nutrient-poor wetlands. Leaf shape is more useful than flower shape for separating local sundews.
Nearly round leaf blades carry red, sticky gland-tipped hairs.
Leaves form a low rosette on slender stalks. Small white flowers open above the leaves on a separate stalk.
Look in sphagnum bogs, wet peat, and acidic wetland margins. Include a whole-plant view alongside closeups when studying this species.
14 field photographs. Select a photograph to enlarge it; use Load more photos to see the rest.
Native to North America; distribution varies by region.
Documented in these U.S. states
AL, AK, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MT, NH, NJ, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
State list includes reported native and introduced occurrence; it does not mean the plant is native in every listed state.
Observation maps show submitted records, not every place the plant occurs. Follow local access rules when visiting a site.
Practice recognizing Round-leaved Sundew in the quiz, or compare it with other plants in the guide.
Field photographs: Where’s Wildlife.