Drosera hirsuta Species Profile
hirsuta

Drosera hirsuta Species Profile

Drosera hirsuta is a scrambling tuberous species known for its very hairy stems and flowers.

Drosera hirsuta is a large scrambling sundew growing up to around 1m in length. The upper parts of the main stem and sepals are covered with a dense coat of hairs such that they appear furry. The lower parts of the plant are hairless. The leaves are orbicular, occuring in sets of three. The middle leaf is the longest and is used by the plant to grasp onto supporting vegetation. The flowers are white or pink and the styles are highly divided. There are two main colour forms, a red and a green form.

Drosera hirsuta occurs in exposed heathland from the Perth Hills up to Mt Lesueur and further north towards Kalbarri. The species forms part of the Drosera macrantha complex, a group of climbing sundews with finely divided styles. It is distinguished by its dense furry hairs on the upper parts of the plant (the hairs of the other species do not reach such a density).

Drosera hirsuta at Mt Lesueur National Park
Drosera hirsuta. Note the dense indumentum on the sepals that give them a furry appearance
The upper axis of Drosera hirsuta. Note the dense covering of non-glandular indumentum
D. hirsuta in the hills near Perth
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