Shield sundew
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| iShield sundew | ||||||||||||||
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| Drosera peltata Thunb. |
The shield sundew, Drosera peltata is the most widespread of the tuberous sundews.
Tuberous sundews are species of the genus Drosera that have evolved to live in summer-drought conditions, and aestivate as a dormant underground tuber. While many tuberous sundews are ground-hugging rosettes, Drosera pelatata is an upright species with a branching inflorescence.
It can be found through southern Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and south-east Asia. Three distinct forms of this plant are found in Tasmania:
- The most common is an upright green form with little or no red coloration (perhaps an orange or bronze tinge). This form is common in summer-dry grassland and open scrub. The plant has a well-defined basal rosette that is bright green in colour, and a single upright stem with a branching inflorescence. Lateral inflorescences also arise from the topmost leaf nodes.
- A second upright form has been described as Drosera peltata var. gracilis. This form is very similar in shape to the first, though smaller. It has a basal rosette of distinctive vermillion red colour, and the whole plant is tinged in red. It is found in wetter, poorly drained scrubland, predominantly in western and southern Tasmania, often in association with Drosera binata and Utricularia monanthos.
- Finally a distinct form of this plant is common in grassland habitats in the Tasmanian midlands. It has been described as Drosera peltata var. foliosa. In contrast to the two upright forms, this species grows as a basal rosette of green foliage from which short stems arise. Generally each short stem has one or two leaves and a terminal single flower. From the leaf nodes arise further branches, each containing only one or two leaves and terminated in a single flower. This gives the plant a much shorter stature and a multi-stemmed habit that is very distinctive.
 Typical form, basal rosette |
 Drosera peltata var gracilis, basal rosette |
 Drosera peltata var foliosa, basal rosette |
