Family: Droseraceae

Drosera capensis (Cape sundew), is a carnivorous plant species native to South Africa. The Cape sundew is one of the most well-known and widely cultivated species within the Drosera genus and has since become naturalized in New Zealand, Australia, California, and Portugal. In Australia and New Zealand, there is concern that Cape sundew could compete with native sundews and other native plant species. The New Zealand Biosecurity Act 1993 classifies Cape sundew as “Unwanted”, defined as “any organism that a chief technical officer believes is capable or potentially capable of causing unwanted harm to any natural and physical resources or human health.” Cape Sundew is currently cultivated, but not known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, although there is concern that it could negatively impact the native Hawaiian sundew, Drosera anglica (Mikinalo).

High Risk Traits:

• Capable of growing in regions with subtropical to temperate climates.
  
• Naturalized in New Zealand, Australia, California, and Portugal, but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date.
  
• Regarded as a greenhouse weed in California, and a potential environmental weed in New Zealand and Australia.
  
• May compete with and impact the native Hawaiian sundew, Drosera anglica (Mikinalo), found in bogs on the island of Kaua'i.
  
• Other Drosera species are naturalized, and at least one, Drosera rotundifolia, is regarded as a weed in Patagonia (Argentina) that may impact native carnivorous plants and invertebrates.
  
• Tolerates many soil types.
  
• Drosera species are capable of hybridization. There may be a risk of hybridization and genetic contamination of the native Hawaiian species.
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by rhizomes and suckers.
  
• Self-fertile.
  
• Can reach maturity in one growing season.
  
• Seeds dispersed by gravity, water, and possibly by adhering to birds, other animals, footwear, equipment or vehicles, as well as through intentional cultivation.
  
• Prolific seed production (exact numbers unknown)
  
• Tolerates and resprouts after top-kill from freezing, and fires.

Low Risk Traits:

• Negative impacts of this species to native vegetation have not been quantified and are largely speculative at this point.
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Grows best in high light environments (dense shade may inhibit spread).