Drosera aliciae var. curviscapa Species Profile

Drosera aliciae var. curviscapa Species Profile

Drosera aliciae var. curviscapa is a rosetted sundew from the Western Cape, South Africa. It is named for its curved flower scapes.

Drosera aliciae var. curviscapa has medium sized rosettes around 6 cm in diameter. The leaves are flat lying with a short, obscure petiole and long lamina that is spatulate or cuneate. The ends of the leaves are sometimes expanded. The flower stem is strongly arching at the base. The colour ranges from olive green to red.

The taxon is mainly known from around the Overberg District, where it grows in seepages and small creeklines. The susbtrate is perenially moist. The species flowers in spring and grows throughout the year.

Drosera aliciae var. curviscapa is frequently confused with other similar rosetted taxa. It differs from the usual from of D. aliciae by its larger size and often expanded lamina (D. aliciae is usually smaller with unexpanded lamina ends). D. aliciae var. curviscapa has been confused with D. xerophila but grows in wetter habitats and has obscure petioles (D. xerophila grows in drier habitats and has obvious petioles). The name Drosera curviscapa has been previously misapplied to to D. esterhuyseniae but differs in that its rosettes are flat, grows in wetter habitat (D. esterhuyseniae has semi-raised leaves and grows in xeric habitats)

Close Menu