Dewy Pine Colouring Page

The dewy pine is a rare-looking carnivorous plant, but it is not a pine tree. Its scientific name is Drosophyllum lusitanicum, and it is the only living species in its genus. It is native to Portugal, southern and central Spain including Gibraltar, and northern Morocco. Unlike most carnivorous plants, which prefer boggy ground, dewy pine grows in dry acidic clearings, rocky slopes and Mediterranean shrubland. It may form a low woody-based plant with many long narrow leaves and bright yellow flowers held above them. Its ability to stay carnivorous in a seasonally dry home makes it especially unusual. Both surfaces of each young leaf carry many stalked glands topped by sparkling sticky mucilage. The plant can produce a honey-like scent that attracts flies and other insects. When an insect such as the lacewing in this picture touches the droplets, the glue stretches and holds it. Dewy pine does not snap shut, and its entire leaf does not curl tightly around prey like some sundews. Instead, nearby glands release digestive enzymes, and the plant absorbs nutrients from the softened prey. Those nutrients are valuable in the poor soils where it grows. Research suggests sea mist, dew and an efficient root system help the plant cope with its dry setting. Because wild populations have limited habitats, children should never collect a dewy pine from nature. Look, photograph and protect it instead. Colour the narrow leaves yellow-green, olive or fresh green. The gland stalks can be red or burgundy, while their round drops can be pale blue, silver, lavender or pink with a small white highlight. A real lacewing is often soft green with clear, net-veined wings; use pale green for its body and very light blue or mint for the wings. The flowers can be sunny yellow with orange centres. Give the sandy ground warm tan and ochre shades, the stones grey, rust or brown, and the sparse grasses muted green. Use long strokes that follow each arching leaf, then small circular motions for the shining droplets. Keep the wings lightly coloured so their delicate pattern stays visible.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.