Drosera auriculata
About
This robust tuberous sundew, *Drosera auriculata*, is notable for its large distribution across Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. It is a perennial herb that aestivates as a dormant underground tuber, allowing it to survive summer drought conditions.
Field notes
Morphology
The species has an underground tuber generally found 4–6 cm deep, with aerial parts ranging from 5–50 cm in height. It typically features an evident rosette of leaves at the soil surface, and the aerial stem is simple or slightly branched. The color is highly variable, often tinged with red or solid red.
Distribution & habitat
Southern, eastern, and south-west Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand (in Northland), as well as south-east Asia and India. It is commonly found on frost-free open flats with light scrub, in areas of regenerating forest, on grassy verges and roadside cuttings.
Cultivation notes
Tuberous sundews typically require wet, cool winters for their active growing season, and warmer, nearly bone-dry summers for the dormant tubers. Drosera peltata can withstand wetter summers.
History & etymology
Drosera auriculata was originally named by James Backhouse and formally described by Jules Émile Planchon in 1848 as D. auriculata, before being reduced to a subspecies of Drosera peltata by Barry John Conn in 1981.
Conservation
Assessed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Philippines, India, Australia
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate