Drosera derbyensis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Drosera derbyensis |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Drosera
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| Species: |
derbyensis
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Drosera derbyensis is a special carnivorous plant that lives for many years. It belongs to the Drosera family, also known as sundews. This plant is only found in Western Australia. It gets its name from the Derby area where it was first seen.
Contents
What is Drosera derbyensis?
This plant is a type of sundew, which means it catches insects. It has leaves that stand up or lean a little. These leaves grow in a circle, like a rosette. One or more of these rosettes can grow from the plant's roots.
How Does it Look?
The stalks of the leaves are narrow and get a bit wider at the top. They are usually 35–45 mm long when the plant is flowering. These stalks are covered in soft, white, woolly hairs.
Its Special Leaves
The part of the leaf that traps insects is round. It is much shorter than the leaf stalks, only about 2–3 mm wide. The top surface of this round leaf is covered with sticky glands. These glands help the plant catch insects for food.
Its Flowers
Each plant grows 1 to 4 flower stalks, which can be 25 to 35 cm tall. Each stalk holds 30 to 50 white flowers. These flowers usually bloom from March to June. The upper part of the flower stalk and the back of the flower's protective leaves (called sepals) are also covered with white, woolly hairs. The plant has thin, thread-like roots.
Where Does it Grow?
Drosera derbyensis likes to grow in sandy soils. You can find it in areas that flood or near rocky places. It grows from the town of Derby all the way to Beverley Springs in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Discovery and Naming
This unique plant was first officially described in 1996. It was named by a scientist called Allen Lowrie.
Who Found It?
The first official sample of Drosera derbyensis was collected on June 5, 1995. This happened at the Silent Grove camping area in the Kimberley. However, other samples of this plant had been collected even earlier, as far back as 1971. Allen Lowrie himself first noticed this new plant on March 29, 1988. He saw it growing near the Boab Prison Tree, which is close to Derby.
How It Got Its Name
The name derbyensis comes from the Derby region. This is the area where the plant is found. In 1996, Lowrie said that this plant was common in its local area and not in danger. Drosera derbyensis is similar to another plant called D. lanata. But it is different because its hairs are not branched like a tree.
Surviving the Dry Season
The woolly hairs covering Drosera derbyensis are very important. Scientists believe these hairs help the plant survive the dry season. They likely protect the plant from drying out completely.
Growing This Plant
People can grow Drosera derbyensis in special plant collections. It has been found to grow well when kept in warm water.
In Spanish: Drosera derbyensis para niños
