Drosera whittakeri
Whittaker's sundew
Overview
Drosera whittakeri is a small carnivorous perennial in the sundew family (Droseraceae), forming a flat ground rosette 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) across from an underground tuber. It is native to southern Australia, where it grows in seasonally moist, sandy and lateritic soils of heath and open woodland. The paddle-shaped leaves are densely covered with stalked glands that secrete sticky droplets, trapping and digesting small insects to supplement the low nutrients of its soils; the glands and blades often flush red in bright light. In late winter and spring each rosette raises one or a few white flowers about 0.8 in (2 cm) across on short stalks. As soils dry in summer the above-ground rosette dies back and the plant survives as a dormant tuber below the surface, regrowing with autumn and winter rains. It demands constant moisture during growth and a dry dormancy, and it is intolerant of fertiliser, lime, and tap water high in minerals. The species is grown by carnivorous-plant specialists rather than in general garden beds.
Native Range
Drosera whittakeri is native to southern Australia, mainly South Australia and western Victoria. It grows in seasonally wet heath, sandy flats, and open woodland on acidic, nutrient-poor soils that are moist in winter and dry in summer.Suggested Uses
Grown in pots, terraria, and bog gardens by carnivorous-plant enthusiasts, and in sand beds that stay wet in winter and dry in summer. Its small rosette suits dish and trough culture. Displayed where its red glandular leaves can be seen at close range.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 4"
Width/Spread1" - 2"
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green to redGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in a mix of sand and peat kept constantly moist through the autumn-to-spring growing season, using rainwater or distilled water rather than mineral-rich tap water. Give bright light to full sun, which deepens the red leaf colour and strengthens trapping. Withhold all fertiliser and lime, as the roots are adapted to nutrient-poor acidic soils. Let the soil dry as the rosette fades in summer, keeping the dormant tuber barely moist until autumn. The plant catches its own insect prey and needs no feeding. It tolerates light frost while dormant.Pruning
No pruning is required. Remove spent flower stalks after seed sets if self-sowing is not wanted. Old rosette leaves wither naturally as summer dormancy begins.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons