New Zealand Temperate Sundews

Some of the sundews in the group are also referred to as the Arctic Sundews. They are native to the higher regions of New Zealand, and can spend up to six months under snow. Others are native to warmer climates and Australia (in which case are listed here & under Tuberous Sundews) don't spend a dormant period in such a severe environment.  

Growing Media:

2 part peat and 1 part sand mix works well. 

 

Temperatures:

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Water & Humidity:

These plants grow sometimes standing in water, and high humidity is present.  

 

Light:

Grow in bright direct or indirect light.  

 

Dormancy Requirements:

These varieties require dormancy, and a long one.  Placing the tuber/rhizomes in the refrigerator, or  wrap them well and place them in a freezer on a low setting. 

 

Asexual Reproduction:

Take a leaf,  place on moist soil and give high humidity & light, with temperature around 75F. I have increased chances when I do not remove the leaf from the plant, but pin it to the soil.  This is much easier with larger varieties. With the smaller varieties, it's a little tricky. 

A few of these plants will reproduce by their roots also. If you see a new plantlet away from the main one, you can dig it up carefully and sever the runner-root and replant.  I listed below which plants are susceptible to asexual reproduction though these methods. 

Sexual Reproduction:

I listed those plants that self-pollinate. Collect seeds when the capsules dry, and store during the plants' normal dormant months. In the spring, you can sprinkle the seeds on moist peat/sand, and provide bright light and high humidity. 

Take

Specific Cultural Information

Note that a "" denotes a picture available at the CP Database, just click on the camera and enter "Drosera" and the species. Also check out the pictures available at the Galleria Carnivora, First floor. 

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D. arcturi

The 'Arctic Sunew' is native to the alpine regions of Australia and three main islands in New Zealand. This rare plant spends its winters under snow, returning each spring from an underground bud.  It blooms a single white flower per stalk, but one plant can grow up to three stalks. The leaves are thick, strap-like, and cupped.  The average mature plant only has 6-10 leaves up to 4'(7cm) long.  If you plan to grow this, you must provide a cold enough dormancy period.  The growing season is also relatively cooler than you give most Sundews. If you wish to germinate seeds, you must stratify them and give them only 5-6 months of growing time, averaging 20C degrees.

 

D. auriculata 

This plant can be found in New Zealand and Australia. It first produces a small rosette, then grows an erect long stem from the base.  Several white blooms can appear on a single flower scape.  It is so similar to D. peltata that it was thought to be a subspecies. However, this plant has greener leaves, a more robust habit, and bears more flowers.  Light pink Flowers with sepals that have black spots, which aide in identification. This plant will die back to a tuber during dormancy.  It can be propagated by leaf cuttings.

White Tuber, 8mm in diameter. 
Dry Dormancy 

 

D. binata   

The 'Scented Sundew' is a fantastic looking plant native to Australia and  New Zealand. It will die back to the roots during cold weather under 50 F. Leaves fork into a  Y shape with the sticky tentacles on the two forked parts.  A mature plant can grow up to 24" (60cm). Flowers are white. This plant can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Dormancy is optional; most people grow it as a tropical.  Since I grow mine in a greenhouse, they are given a temperate enviroment (which co-ordinates flowering)
Var. dichotoma is like the binata, but can have more leaf divisions.   Micheal King wrote on the CP Listserv on June 30, 1999 that a bird (wren) was actually trapped in a large clump of his D. binata var dichotoma! He cut several leaves, cleaned up the bird, and let him go.
Var. multifida is my favorite; it can split up tp 6 times!  

© Pierre Gelinaud

D. burmanii   

Native to Australia, but found in New Zealand and Asia. An small rosetted annual Sundew  with oval-shaped leaves. The plant produces 1-5 flower stalks and 3-15 white flowers; it easily self-pollinates and germinates, so it shouldn't be much trouble for a collector to maintain a supply of them.   Leaves can reach 1" (3cm) in diameter and spathulate.   It will not produce plantlets from leaf cuttings easily, so it may be best to obtain by seeds.

 

D. spathulata

The 'Spoon-Shaped Sundew' is found throughout New Zealand and in parts of Australia and Asia. It is common in the alpine regions.  It's leaves grow up to 2" (5cm) in diameter.  A single plant can have multiple flowers on one or two stalks.  Easy to grow, and a self-pollinator. A pink bloomer. 

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© Joachin Merz

© Heiko Rischer

© Yutaka Yoshida

© Yutaka Yoshida

© Yutaka Yoshida

    

D. stenopetala   

An erect growing sundew native to Australia and New Zealand. Has reflexed spoon shaped leaves dark to reddish green.  In New Zealand it grows relatively close to the native regions of D. arcturi. Flowers have narrow petals, which gave it the name, 'stenopetala'.  It's a self-pollinator, but doesn't germinate easily. It is possible to propagate by leaf cuttings. It will die back to a tuber for dormancy. If you know the flowers' color, please e-mail me.

© Clive Shirley

Bibliography 

Carnivorous Plants of Australia, Volume 1,2,3. Allen Lowrie
The Savage Garden, Peter D'Amato. 1998.
Carnivorous Plants of the World, James and Patricia Pietropaolo. 1986
A Brief Guide to Native New Zealand Carnivorous Plants, Http://www.vuw.ac.nz/~elderj/nzcps.html
Carnivorous Plant Database 
Cambrian Carnivores  

Photo Contributors

Pierre Gelinaud -Webpage-: D. cuneifolia, D. aliciae, D. binata, D. spathulata
Joachin Merz & Heiko Rischer -Webpage- :D. spathulata
Clove Shirley : D. stenopetala 
Yutaka Yoshida - Webpage - : D. spathulata

Last update 07/30/01

Since 2/22/2000