Rosťa Kracík · CC BY 3.0 cz
About
A striking perennial plant, *Drosera falconeri* is notable for its large, flat, rosette-forming leaves and its ability to thrive in calcareous, high-pH sandy soils, which is unusual for most carnivorous plants. It is a tropical species that forms a tight, hibernating bud during its seasonal dormancy.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant forms a rosette body plan with reniform lamina at maturity, typically 1.5 cm long and 2 cm wide, though older leaves can reach up to 3 cm wide. The leaves feature retentive mucilage-producing glands (tentacles) on the margin, with shorter glands in the center. The petiole is oblanceolate, usually 10 mm long. It produces one or two racemose inflorescences, typically 8 cm long, bearing white or pink flowers.
Distribution & habitat
Endemic to the northern coastal areas of the Northern Territory in Australia, specifically found in the Palmerston and Berry Springs regions and on Melville Island.
Ecology
The species is carnivorous, utilizing mucilage-producing glands (tentacles) on the leaf margins to trap prey. It is unique among calcifuge carnivorous plants for its ability to grow successfully on calcareous sandy soils with high pH values.
Cultivation notes
It is considered a difficult species to grow, requiring a peat:sand or perlite soil mix. During dormancy, it forms a tight rosette. Plants can be propagated by submerging leaf pullings in pure water. Note that the deep red foliage characteristic of the wild can be lost in cultivation.
History & etymology
*Drosera falconeri* was first discovered in 1980 by Mr. Falconer along the Finniss River in the Northern Territory. The specific epithet honors Mr. Falconer, its discoverer. The formal description was provided by Katsuhiko Kondo in 1984.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–300 m
- Altitude Class
- lowland
- Native To
- Australia
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Day 28–34°C / Night 22–28°C
- Humidity
- 60–90%
- Notes
- Northern Australian tropical sundew. Distinctive shield-like adult rosette with large flowers.
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