The dewy pine‑herb, also known as the Portuguese sundew (Drosophyllum lusitanicum), is the sole species in its family, Drosophyllaceae, and is almost entirely endemic to Portugal. It has been an iconic component of Lusitanian flora since the time of Linnaeus and is notably mentioned in Charles Darwin’s work on carnivorous plants. Its leaves, covered in sticky glands, act as a passive trap that captures insects, supplementing the nitrogen deficiency of the dry, rocky, nutrient-poor soils in which it evolved.
The specimen in the Botanical Garden (PT‑0‑COI‑2023/00028) belongs to the Portugal Botânico collection and is cultivated in a section dedicated to Mediterranean heathlands on Beira Litoral sandstones. It originates from the largest remaining population near Coimbra, located in Quinta do Valdoeiro, Mealhada. Its bright yellow flowers are visible in the garden in April.
Photo: João Farminhão