Insectivorous herbs (Drosophyllum subshrub) sometimes with tubers or small rhizomes. Leaves generally in a basal rosette, spirally arranged to whorled, often unfolding crozier-like as in ferns, generally covered with gland-tipped, sensitive, sticky hairs (Dionaea, Drosera) or forming a trap (Dionaea); stipules mostly present. Flowers bisexual, regular, sepals 4-8, free or fused at the base, petals as sepals, stamens 4 or 5, occasionally 4 or 10-20. Ovary superior, the ovules numerous and with parietal placentation. Fruit a loculicidal capsule, mostly with numerous seeds.

Often grown in moss as insect-devouring botanical curiosities.

Leaves with sticky insect-catching glandular hairs, or leaves forming fly-catching traps.

3 genera and about 102 species, cosmopolitan but especially southern hemisphere, mostly of moist areas (Australia has about 60 species in 2 genera).

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Droseraceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.