Drosera gigantea Species Profile

Drosera gigantea Species Profile

Drosera gigantea is an iconic species that forms a branching tree-like morphology. The species emerges at the end of winter as aspagarus-like sprouts before erupting into a profusion of flowers and leaves. There are two main forms of the species – a larger green form and a slender red form. The plants grow in wet swampland along the Western Australian coast and is especially known for its impressive en mass displays in the drainage fields of granite outcrops.

The only species that shares a similar morphology is Drosera geniculata. Drosera gigantea can be distinguished by its mostly linear petioles and branches, as opposed to the strong zig-zagging branches of Drosera geniculata.

Drosera gigantea spp. gigantea. This subspecies is denoted by its green coloration and generally larger morphology. This plant was growing on the sandy banks of a swamp in the Mt Lesueur area. The plant was around 40 cm tall.
Drosera gigantea red form growing in the Perth Hills.
The early growth phase of Drosera gigantea resembles asparagus shoots. The plants emerge at the end of winter
Macro image of the flowers. Note that the usual number of petals is five.
The typical habitat in the Perth Hills. Here, the species congregates around swamps and is associated with the drainage fields of granite outcrops.
Plants emerging out of the sandy banks of a swamp channel in the Mt Lesueur area
The red and green forms of D. gigantea growing together in the Perth Hills.
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