In general, sundews (Drosera) of the Droseraceae family are plants that trap and consume insects. They capture their prey with mucilaginous glands that are able to produce glycoproteins. Attached to the sundew's spoon-shaped leaf are tentacles that excrete these proteins, using them to attract anthropods. As soon as one of them lands on the sticky tentacles (glandular hair), they slowly start to wind around the trapped prey and digest it through the leaf.
Due to their carnivorous behaviour, drosera are commonly found in and around wetlands or less nutritious soils that may be acidic. Drosera spatulata each have a core rosette from which the spoon-shaped leaves branch out. The plant starts to flourish in November and December as it forms long internodes that may carry several pink flowers.
Unlike other Drosera species, D. spatulata does not rely on forming winter buds, a protection mechanism called hibernaculum.
Almost 200 Drosera species have been recorded. They are found on almost every continent due to their extreme adaptability. In science, the species has drawn attention for its medical application as well as in ongoing biomaterial research.