Michal Rubeš · CC BY 3.0 cz
About
*Drosera paradoxa* is a carnivorous plant belonging to the genus *Drosera*. It is endemic to the Northern Territory and Western Australia.
Field notes
Morphology
This perennial herb features a woody stem that can grow up to 30 cm. The leaves are arranged in a single terminal rosette, with the carnivorous leaves being sub-orbicular and small, measuring 2.5–3 mm wide and 2–3 mm long. The leaves are held at the end of linear petioles, which are typically 20–35 mm long at flowering time. The plant produces inflorescences that are 20–40 cm long, bearing pink or white flowers on crowded racemes from July to September.
Distribution & habitat
*Drosera paradoxa* is native to the west and north coasts of the Kimberley region, extending inland to Beverley Springs in Western Australia. It is also found east to Arnhem Land and Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. It thrives in skeletal sandy soils over sandstone, often located along the banks of seasonally dry creeks or in sandstone cracks.
Ecology
The provided text describes the plant's carnivorous nature but does not detail its prey capture mechanism, mutualisms with animals, or infauna. It is noted that during the wet season (March to April), its habitat is typically flooded with fast-flowing water.
History & etymology
The species was first described by Australian botanist Allen Lowrie in 1997. The specific epithet, *paradoxa*, was chosen due to early field observations that were confusing, as the plant could appear to be annual, clumping, or woody, when in fact these were all stages of its perennial life cycle. The type specimen was collected near Wren Creek in Western Australia.
Conservation
Lowrie assessed the species' conservation status as common and not under threat in 1997. It is noted to be closely related to *D. petiolaris*, but differs significantly due to its tall woody stem.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 0–400 m
- Altitude Class
- lowland
- Native To
- Australia
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Temperature
- Day 26–34°C / Night 20–26°C
- Humidity
- 60–85%
- Notes
- Tuberous petiolaris-complex sundew from northern Australia.
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