Alpine Flower a Day: Sundew
Alpine Flower a Day: Day 21, Sundew (Drosera arcturi)
– the hairy little insect-trapping fingers are about 3cm long
– growing on the edges of the tarn on route to Granity Hut, Kahurangi National Park
My sundew heart (according to Wikipedia)
grows in bogs, tarns and seepages,
at montane or alpine elevations
and is commonly found unfolding
in a red insectivorous dance
amongst the watery stars
of spagnum moss.
It is found in alpine areas
from the fish of Māui to the waters
of greenstone to the glowing skies.
It is found above 1500m altitude
in the North
descending to sea level
in the South.
It is found (to my revelation)
in the high country of southeastern
Australia, and in Tasmania
where it is occasionally found
down to sea level (uncommon).
My sundew heart is often found blooming
in family clumps, alongside fairy aprons.[3]
Note on poem: I did steal a lot of the language from Wikipedia's entry on our wee friend the sundew. It's a good way to write a poem when you sit down after a long weekend on a writing retreat with friends and think what the hell am I going to write about today. Just borrow a few words from the world. You should try it sometime. I've ending up spending an hour playing around with line-breaks and adding some tasty language. Oh and I discovered that delightful new flower the fairy apron. So fun!
If you're interested in the inspiration behind this month-long series of 'An Alpine Flower A Day' about NZ alpine flowers and poems, you can find more in my first post: An Alpine Flower A Day Enjoy!
