Drosera stenopetala
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About
A notable endemic New Zealand alpine species, *Drosera stenopetala* is a rosette-forming perennial that is winter-dormant and grows from an underground rhizome. It is unique within its genus for its restricted range to the islands of New Zealand.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant emerges as a flattened rosette of short leaves with broad stalks, which become more erect and narrow near flowering. Leaves are spoon-shaped, up to 15 mm long, and are covered in long glandular hairs. The solitary flower stalk can reach up to 20 cm, bearing a single flower with white petals that have a yellow-green tinge at the base.
Distribution & habitat
The range extends from the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges down the Southern Alps to Stewart Island, and is also found on the Auckland and Campbell Islands. It is a wetland obligate, found patchily in montane to alpine bogs, seepages, or wet rock faces, but can reach sea level in colder, southerly areas.
History & etymology
The specific epithet means "with narrow petals," which is considered misleading as the petals are fairly wide. The species is unique within its genus for being endemic to New Zealand.
Conservation
Assessed as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate