Range: Western Australia, Mitchell Plateau and SW of Darwin regions

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Found in a currently somewhat disjunct range in the northwestern corner of Australia, this odd species grows in fine sandy or silty loam and laterite soils in swamplands that may or may not fully dry out in the dry season (when the plant dies back to an underground bulb structure). Plants may reach nearly 15 cm in diameter, though more commonly 6-8, with a flat rosette of very odd paddle-shaped leaves. Petioles are very thin and oblanceolate to nearly linear, glabrous above and sparsely covered in hairs abaxially. Lamina are broadly elliptic to ovate, nearly to reniform and usually wider than long. Coloration may range from green with red-tinged tentacles or lamina to almost solid red throughout with just a bit of green background tones. Inflorescences are up to 20 cm tall, covered in a sparse layer of short white hairs that grow denser near the 10-20 flowered rachis. Flowers are up to 1.5 cm in diameter, with obovate, whitish or light pink petals. This species can be distinguished from most species by its broad-lamina leaves, and from D. falconeri by its smaller lamina and much thinner, longer petioles, and a taller inflorescence.

 

Cultivation: grow in a 2:1 sand/peat soil or a loose, aerated sphagnum and perlite mix, kept moist to wet with moderate humidity and temps of 75-95°F year round. Should plants show signs of dying back for dormancy, allow to dry to just barely damp until new growth reappears. Sow seeds on soil surface (older seeds may require smokewater or GA3 treatment to germinate), and grow in strong artificial light to full sun.

 

Lifespan and reproduction: perennial. Reproduces through seed (requires cross-pollination), and may be grown through leaf pullings.

 

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