South African Tropical Sundews

Most of these plants are rosettes that grow during the cool and moist winter months, but die back to their roots or rhizomes during the hotter and drier summer. This pattern is very similar to the Australian cycle, but these plants to no form tubers -- they only die back to their roots or rhizomes.  

 

Growing Media:

A mixture of 2 parts peat and 1 part sand is sufficient.  

Temperatures:

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Water & Humidity:

Their growing season is during the cooler winter months, where they receive plenty of water and humidity. This time period last an average of nine months. They require a dormancy period for about three months; the temperatures are much warmer and drier.  

 

Light:

Grow in bright direct or indirect light.  

 

Dormancy Requirements:

During the dry and warm months, these plants may die back to their roots or rhizomes, depending on how sever. Trying to grow these plants without a dormancy period will slowly result in death. 

 

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. affinis

Rosetted sundew. It's not listed as an African Sundew by the "Key to African Drosera" found on the CP database, but Tony Camileri listed it as one. Since I can't find ANY information on this sundew other than what Camilleri gave, I stuck it here. 

D. collinsiae  

Small rosette sundew according to the "Key to African Drosera" found on the CP database, but cited as erect from Tony Camilleri's book. Leaves get 1.5" (4cm) long.  Flowers pink.  

 

D. indica   

This Tropical sundew can be found in Africa, India, and Northern Australia.  Very easily mistaken for Byblis.  It sends out an erect stem that quickly falls over, and can get several inches long. The leaves have tentacles all around. Blooms 5-20 flowers that can be white, pink, or orange.  This plant is an annual, coming back from seed year after year.  

D. madagascariensis

This tropical sundew has very thin stems, almost 10" (25cm) long.  The plant has 4-15 small pink flowers, and is found growing in African swamps. 

Bibliography 

Carnivorous Plants of Australian, Volume 1,2,3. Allen Lowrie
The Savage Garden, Peter D'Amato. 1998.
Carnivorous Plants of the World, James and Patricia Pietropaolo. 1986
Carnivorous Plant Database 
Cambrian Carnivores  
Phil Wilson : D. trinervia information

Photo Contributors

Pierre Gelinaud -Webpage-: D. cuneifolia, D. aliciae
James Manhart of Texas A&M Dept. of Biology : D. capensis 

Last update 07/30/01

Since 2/22/2000