Drymocallis Glandulosa, Sticky Cinquefoil

Day 304: Of a dozen or so species to be found in field guides under the name of "Potentilla" which are reported to occur in Mount Rainier National Park, at least two have been reclassified taxonomically to Drymocallis. While both Potentilla and Drymocallis still retain the common name of "Cinquefoil," they are genetically distinct; case in point, Drymocallis glandulosa, a "protocarnivore." As its scientific name suggests, this Drymocallis exhibits gland-tipped hairs (trichomes) along its stem and on its sepals. These glandular structures secrete a sticky substance which serve as a line of defense against predation by insects, but unlike the trichomes of true carnivores like Round-Leaved Sundew, the secretions produced by Drymocallis contain no digestive enzymes. Whether or not Drymocallis is on an evolutionary path toward full carnivory is a subject of much conjecture among botanical researchers, but its present morphology points up an interesting consideration: maybe insects won't take over the world. Plants are finding ways to fight back!