Drosera drummondii Species Profile

Drosera drummondii Species Profile

Drosera drummondii is a scrambling species of tuberous sundew native to Western Australia.

Drosera drummondii grows a long glabrous stem, which can reach over a meter in length. The stem usually scrambles amongst surrounding vegetation, although specimens growing in exposed environments can be shorter and self supporting. The leaves typically emerge in groups of three (although older nodes will grow another leaf or two), with one leaf having an especially long petiole to latch onto surrounding vegetation. The flowers are large, and typically pink or white. The styles are are filiform and branch only at their point of attachment, appearing as simple straight tufts at a glance.

The species has a broad distribution along the south west and south coasts of Western Australia, from around Enneaba towards Esperance. It is most usually encountered in sandy habitats and heathland environments. The species is a member of the D. menziesii complex, and can be distinguished by its climbing habit (D. menziesii and D. basifolia are self-supporting and short). Additionally, its sepals are hirsute, which separates it from the similar Drosera thysanosepala. Prior to its formal publication, it was known as Drosera menziesii subsp. penicillaris. The glabrous stems distinguish it in the first instance from plants in the Drosera macrantha complex, which have a similar climbing morphology. Their styles also appear straight (contrasted with the highly divided styles of D. macrantha).

D. drummondii near Jurien Bay. Note the scrambling habit.
Drosera drummondii near Cervantes
Drosera drummondii at Two People’s Bay. Note the densely hirsute sepals.
Drosera drummondii near Jurien Bay. Note the climbing habit.
A specimen growing in the middle of a trail near Enneaba. Note that the wind had blown the self-supporting plant in a circle
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