About
A large, perennial sundew, *Drosera binata* is notable for its unique habit of having narrow, highly forked, or dichotomously divided leaves, giving it the common name forked sundew. It is also the only species in the *Drosera* section Phycopsis.
Field notes
Morphology
The leaves are up to 60 cm (24 in) long and are characteristically dichotomously (sometimes twice-dichotomously) divided or forked. Forms can vary, with the 'T-form' growing up to 30 cm (12 in) and having green foliage that reddens with age, while other forms can produce anywhere from eight to 40 terminal leaf points.
Distribution & habitat
Native to south-eastern Australia, ranging from Fraser Island in Queensland, through New South Wales, Victoria, to Tasmania and the south-east corner of South Australia. It also extends to New Zealand, where it is common below an elevation of 1,000 metres, found in both the North and South Islands, Stewart Island / Rakiura and the Chathams.
History & etymology
The species was first described by Jacques Labillardière in his 1804 publication on the flora of Australia, Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen. Earlier specimens were collected in 1792 by the French exploration led by Bruni d'Entrecasteaux.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–1,400 m
- Altitude Class
- intermediate
- Native To
- Australia, New Zealand
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- easy
- Temperature
- Day 20–28°C / Night 10–18°C
- Humidity
- 50–80%
- Notes
- Y-shaped leaves, easy to grow and propagates from root cuttings.
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