user:Denis Barthel · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
The king sundew, *Drosera regia*, is a large, carnivorous sundew endemic to a single valley in South Africa. It is notable for possessing several ancient characteristics within the genus, including woody rhizomes and operculate pollen. The plant is found in the natural fynbos vegetation.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is a large herb that produces horizontal woody rhizomes and a crown of large, linear leaves, which can reach up to 70 cm in length. These leaves are covered in stalked glands (tentacles) that produce a sticky mucilage. The leaves lack petioles and stipules and can fold over themselves multiple times. Flowering occurs via scapes up to 40 cm long, bearing unscented pink flowers.
Distribution & habitat
This species is endemic to South Africa, specifically found in the Bainskloof Range near Wellington, Western Cape. It thrives in natural fynbos vegetation, which is characterized by low evergreen shrubs and marshy grasses. The habitat requires permanently damp soils, often consisting of peaty quartzite sand or gravel.
Ecology
The leaves function as active flypaper traps, using sticky mucilage produced by tentacles to capture large prey such as beetles, moths, and butterflies. The tentacles respond to captured insects by bending inward, aiding in retention. The plant grows in association with marsh grasses and low evergreen shrubs, and its survival depends on periodic fire to prevent other plants from choking it out.
Cultivation notes
The plant is known to go dormant during colder seasons, forming a dormant bud. It typically begins growing in mid-July, with a variable growing season from October to April. While it can continue growing year-round, it is generally considered a robust species for carnivorous plant enthusiasts.
History & etymology
The species is recognized for unusual characteristics such as its woody rhizomes and operculate pollen, which suggest an ancient lineage within the genus. These features are shared with related species like *Dionaea muscipula*. The plant has been the subject of detailed botanical study regarding its unique morphology and genetics.
Conservation
The species is considered critically endangered, with only about 50 mature plants remaining at the lower elevation site. Although not currently evaluated under modern IUCN standards, it is recognized as imperiled by the International Carnivorous Plant Society.
Habitat
- Altitude
- 1,000–1,500 m
- Altitude Class
- intermediate
- Native To
- South Africa
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- difficult
- Temperature
- Day 18–25°C / Night 8–15°C
- Humidity
- 60–80%
- Notes
- Bain's Kloof endemic. Largest sundew, sensitive to warm nights.
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