Drosera kaieteurensis
About
A striking perennial herbaceous plant, *Drosera kaieteurensis* is notable for its rosettes of small, circular to oval leaves densely covered in bright red, sticky mucilage. It is adapted to nutrient-poor or acidic habitats found on the tepuis.
Field notes
Morphology
It grows in rosettes with diameters of 6–8 mm on short stems. The leaves are circular to oval, mostly red, measuring 2–3 mm long and 2 to 2.5 mm wide. The upper surface is covered with red glandular hairs that secrete sticky mucilage. The stipules are rectangular and membranous, measuring 2.5 to 4 millimeters long and about 1 mm wide. The inflorescences are 13 to 60 mm long and bear white or pink petals. The elliptical seeds are dispersed when the seed capsule opens longitudinally and is impacted by a raindrop.
Distribution & habitat
It is found in the tepuis on the border area of Guyana and Venezuela, at altitudes of 460-2,400m, preferring sandy soils or moss-grown rock. Occurrences may also exist in Trinidad and Tobago.
Ecology
The plant traps insects, which are attracted by the bright red color and glistening mucilage. It uses enzymes to dissolve the trapped insects, extracting ammonia and other nutrients to supplement the nitrogen absorbed through its roots, a response to its nutrient-poor or acidic habitat.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate