Drosera
The genus Drosera, commonly known as sundews, is one of the most diverse groups of carnivorous plants, with over 200 species found across every continent except Antarctica. These species are often grouped into several informal categories based on their habitat and morphology:
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Temperate Drosera: Found in cooler climates, these species (like D. rotundifolia and D. intermedia typically die back to a hibernaculum in winter and regrow in spring. They thrive in bogs and wetlands.
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Subtropical Drosera: These species, such as D. capensis and D. spatulata, are among the easiest to grow. They do not require dormancy and flourish in mild, humid conditions year-round.
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Pygmy Drosera: Native mostly to southwestern Australia, pygmy sundews (e.g., D. scorpioides) are tiny and form compact rosettes. They reproduce via gemmae—tiny clonal propagules—and prefer sandy, well-drained soils.
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Petiolaris Complex: These tropical species, like D. petiolaris and D. falconeri, are adapted to hot, humid environments in northern Australia and Southeast Asia. They often have hairy petioles and thrive in seasonally wet habitats.
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Tuberous Drosera: Also native to Australia, these species survive dry summers by retreating into underground tubers. They produce tall, often spectacular flowering stems during the wet season.
Each group reflects unique evolutionary adaptations to their environments, making Drosera one of the most ecologically and morphologically diverse carnivorous plant genera.
