Field Microscope Observation of Sundew Seedling – Part 2

 This is a follow-up look at the sundew seedling I introduced earlier. In the previous article, I shared images of the seedling just after its cotyledons (first leaves) had emerged. This time, the true leaves have begun to appear.

These true leaves are already equipped with sticky tentacles. Although the plant is still only 2–3 mm in size and likely cannot catch any insects yet, I was surprised to see that even at this tiny stage, it already forms leaves that resemble those of its adult form.

There are mites and springtails living in this pot as well. In the first photo, you can see the shed exoskeleton of one of these creatures near the base of the central seedling. That gives you a good idea of their size—about the same as the arthropods themselves. It’s unlikely the plant can catch them at this stage.

Captured using a field microscope
Objective lens: Seiwa Plan APO 2.5
Camera: Panasonic GH5
Camera lens: Nikon AI AF Zoom-Nikkor ED 70–300 mm F4–5.6D

Focus stacking: Helicon Focus 8