Drosera peltata
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| Shield sundew | ||||||||||||||
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| Drosera peltata Thunb. |
Drosera peltata, commonly called the shield sundew, is the most widespread of the tuberous sundews. The specific epithet is Latin for "shield shaped" - a reference to the shape of the cauline leaves[1]
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 peltata is an upright species with a branching inflorescence.
[edit] Habitat and distribution
They are commonly found growing on frost free open flats with light scrub, in areas of regenerating forest, on grassy verges and roadside cuttings.[1]The soil type these plants are found in is mainly soft fine clay or peaty, sand soils, which, while wet in winter, dry out over summer.[1]This species has a large range and various forms occur naturally in southern, eastern and south Western Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand (in Northland)[1] as well as south-east Asia and India.[1]
[edit] Forms
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[citation needed]. Lateral inflorescences also arise from the topmost leaf nodes.
- A second upright form has been described as Drosera peltata var. gracilis[citation needed]. 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 dichotoma.
- 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[citation needed]. 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 |
 Drosera peltata var. auriculata |
 Close-up of Drosera peltata var. auriculata with captured fly |
[edit] References
