Drosera alba Species Profile

Drosera alba Species Profile

Drosera alba is a sundew from South Africa. Despite its name, the species is coloured vivid red, with the specific epithet probably referring to the white flowers of some plants.

Drosera alba is a medium-sized sundew with a rosette of variably shaped leaves. Initially, ground-hugging elongated leaves around 1cm long are formed, followed by raised strappy leaves around 5cm tall. A slender flower stem with one or two small light-pink or white blooms is produced in spring. The species reproduces asexually through underground stolons.

The species is found in mountainous seepages in the Cederberg Mountains in the Western Cape and the Bokkeveld Plateau in the Northern Cape. It grows in skeletal soils atop rock platforms, in seepages that flow in winter. The species is active over winter and persists as dormant roots over summer.

Drosera alba is most closely related to a well-known but undescribed taxon known as Drosera sp. ‘Nieuwoudtville’. It differs by forming erect filiform leaves, which are absent in D. sp. ‘Nieuwoudtville’.

An atypical double flowered form of D. alba
An atypical double flowered form of D. alba
Drosera alba (left) vs Drosera sp. ‘Nieuwoudtville’ (right)
Close Menu