Drosera kenneallyi
About
A notable endemic species of the Kimberley region, *Drosera kenneallyi* is distinguished by its small, red, elliptic to broadly ovate leaves and its ability to survive frequent flooding by adjusting its petioles.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant forms a compact basal rosette with narrowly oblanceolate petioles, typically 1.5–2.2 mm wide. The red carnivorous leaves at the end of the petioles are small, measuring 2–3 mm in diameter and are elliptic to broadly ovate. The inflorescences are 12.5–20.5 cm long, bearing white flowers on racemes of 10 to 20 flowers.
Distribution & habitat
Native to the Mitchell Plateau in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia, it is common within a 5 km radius around the Mitchell Plateau Airfield.
Ecology
The species is found in sandy loam soils on the margins of swamps, such as the Airfield Swamp. It survives seasonal flooding, which occurs during January and February, by altering the position of its petioles to keep the insect-catching leaves above the water's surface.
History & etymology
The species was first collected in 1982 by Kevin F. Kenneally, for whom it is named. It was formally described by Allen Lowrie in 1996, and he noted that it is most closely related to D. falconeri, but can be distinguished by its noticeably smaller leaves and shorter inflorescence.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Australia
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate