Genus: DROSERA
| A genus of over 100 species of sticky-leaved perrenials (and a few annuals,) distributed around the world in all climatic zones from the Arctic to sub-saharan Africa. Many are easily grown, and make excellent house plants if planted in peat:sand mix and stood in a saucer of rainwater on a sunny windowsill. |
South American species:
| Mostly rosette-forming species, a much neglected group of sundews, that respond well to a sandy soil (1:1 or 2:1 sand:peat,) standing in water in full sun. Dormancy is less pronounced than temperate spp., with the plants merely slowing growth in the winter , and due to the altitude many of these spp. grow at, high temperatures (over 30ºC,) should be avoided if possible. |
| Species: D. communis | Common Name: None |
| Distribution: S. America | |
| A very variable complex of spp. that probably awaits division into a number of taxa. Most forms are small, spathulate to cuneate, rosette-forming plants with a reddish hue in full sun and lightly tomentose. Not difficult to grow and fresh seed is easier to germinate than most S.American spp. |
| Species: D. esmereldae | Common Name: None |
| Distribution: Venezuela |
| Small sparkling rosettes, greener than, and lacking the typical hairiness of most S.American Drosera spp. A very beautiful sp., but difficult to germinate and grow. |
| Species: D. graminifolia | Common Name: None |
| Subspecies: graminifolia | Distribution: Brazil |
| Plant produces tall, filiform leaves similar to the N.American D.filiformis, though typically of the S.American spp., it has a darker green lamina and redder tentacles. Best grown in a heavy, sandy soil kept rather dry. |
| Species: D. graminifolia | Common Name: None |
| Subspecies: nortensis | Distribution: Brazil |
| A smaller plant than ssp.graminifolia, but no easier in cultivation. |
| Species: D. graminifolia | Common Name: None |
| Subspecies: spiralis | Distribution: Brazil |
| A similar plant to ssp.graminifolia, but producing more or less widely spiralled leaves. No easier in cultivation. |
| Species: D. kaieteurensis | Common Name: None |
| Distribution: Kaieteur Falls, Venezuela |
| Small rosettes of lanceolate, semi-erect leaves that redden in strong light. The plant is named after the very restricted area of natural habitat around the Kaieteur falls in Venezuela where the plant originates. Difficult in cultivation - keep cool and humid. |
| Species: D. montana | Common Name: None |
| Distribution: S. America |
| A very variable complex of species, typically producing wedge-shaped, more or less hairy, burgundy leaves, and short scapes bearing pink or white flowers. Most are easy to grow and tolerably easy to germinate if seed is fresh. |
| Species: D. pumila | Common Name: None |
| Distribution: S. America |
| Tiny plant forming a rosette of short, wide leaves. Difficult sp. in cultivation: keep cool and humid. |
| Species: D. sessilifolia | Common Name: None |
| Distribution: Brazil |
| An annual related to the very similar Australian D.burmannii, with which it freely hybridises to form the unusually fertile hybrid D.*thelocalyxiana. Pink flowers in the summer which bear copious quantities of seed. |
| Species: D. villosa | Common Name: None |
| Distribution: Brazil |
| A wonderfully tomentose ('hairy') species with burgundy semi-erect leaves arching out in a rosette 3-4 inches or more across. |
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