Botanical art
Common names
Tiny Sundew
Etymology
Drosera from the Greek 'droseros' meaning dewy, alluding to the glistening hairs of the glandular leaf laminae. Pygmaea from Latin meaning small, referring to the species' habit.
Distribution and status
Found on the bottom of the Eyre Peninsula, southern Mount Lofty Ranges, Kangaroo Island and lower South-east growing in seasonally damp, swampy environments on a wide range of soils and vegetation types. Also found in western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. Native. Common in South Australia. Rare inn Western Australia. Common in the other States.
Herbarium regions: Southern Lofty, Kangaroo Island, South Eastern, Green Adelaide
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Perennial colony-forming herb with fibrous roots; generally evergreen, sometimes dying back over summer to a dormant, stipule-covered bud to 3.5 mm diameter. Stem short, enclosed by persistent leaf bases. Leaves many in a convex rosette; orbicular, peltate attached near the margin, to 2 mm diameter. Central leaves in winter modified to form deciduous propagules (gemmae). Inflorescence very slender, glabrous with 1 4- petalled flower; sepals oblong to elliptic, glabrous; petals elliptic-spatulate, white. Flowering between September to January. Fruits are brown ovoid capsule to 2 mm diameter, erect.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between November and December. Collect mature capsules, those that are fat, hard, turning brown and contain black seeds inside. Place the capsules in a tray and leave to dry for one to two weeks. Then rub the capsules gently by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place.