Range: southwestern Australia, northeast of Perth

 

This species has been the subject of much debate, formerly considered to be the only yellow-flowered pygmy sundew until its closest relative D. nivea was found to also have yellow populations; additionally another species D. coalara was also thought to exist, though has more recently been lumped with this species. Plants are found in deep yellow sand soils amongst scattered shrubs. Rosettes may reach up to 1.5 cm across, with short relatively flat arrangements of skinny leaves though stems may reach up to 1.5 cm tall on a short column of dead leaves. Petioles are slightly tapered, broadest near the base and narrowing slightly toward the lamina, and generally glabrous with some scattered glands on the margins. Lamina are roughly orbicular, generally small, and sport moderately long marginal tentacles. Coloration is typically green with orange tentacles, though lamina may turn entirely bright crimson. Inflorescences reach up to 4.5 cm tall, very sparsely glandular along the peduncle, and may bear up to 16 blooms. Flowers may reach just over 1 cm across, with generally obovate petals that are white at the base and creamy to lemon yellow tips. Entirely white-flowered forms are known, though uncommon. This species can be distinguished from D. nivea by its yellow pollen, greater average number of flowers per inflorescence, greenish ovaries and shorter peduncles but longer pedicels. It also has a greater likelihood of displaying yellow blooms, while the other species is primarily white with rare yellow forms.

 

Cultivation: grow in a 3 or 4:1 sand/peat soil, kept moist but well-drained during the winter growing season and with temperatures of 45-70°F. In summer, photoperiod and temperatures should increase but dry dormancy should be avoided as it can be difficult to bring the plants back. Seeds if produced may require warm stratification or other treatments to germinate; sow them or gemmae on soil surface, and grow in strong artificial light to full sun.

 

Lifespan and reproduction: perennial. Reproduces through many gemmae and rarely seeds, and may possibly be cultivated through leaf pullings.

 

Sources: https://cpn.carnivorousplants.org/articles/CPNv49n1p6_16.pdf

Lowrie et al. (2017). Drosera of the World Vol. 2. Redfern Natural History Productions.