Range: Malawi south through Mozambique and into northern South Africa (questionable)

 

An unfortunately highly misidentified species, often confused with its very close relative D. natalensis (of which nearly all “dielsiana” in cultivation actually belong to), this taxon is tentatively recorded from much of the southeastern mountain-savannah landscape of Africa. Plants tend to grow above 900 meters in elevation, in wet peaty soils near depressions, seeps, or waterways often in thin layers over rock outcrops. This species grows to rarely more than 4 cm in diameter (often less), with roughly flat rosettes of broad oblong leaves bearing thick though often very short, pubescent petioles and slightly to notably broader obovate or triangular to oblong lamina. Color is bright green to solid red, with crimson tentacles. Inflorescences may reach more than 30 cm in height and grow ascending, covered in small glandular trichomes and bearing up to 15 or more blooms. Flowers are approximately 1.5 cm at most, with narrow ovoid light pink petals. To reliably distinguish this species from D. natalensis, seed and style morphology is necessary: this taxon possesses simple, relatively undivided styles and oblong-rounded seeds, while D. natalensis possesses more heavily divided styles and fusiform (possessing narrow appendages at the tips) seeds. Currently the so-called D. sp. “Pretty Rosette” may represent the only true dielsiana in cultivation.

 

Cultivation: grow in a peat-based soil mixed with low to moderate components of perlite or sand, kept moist to wet but aerated and moderately humid, with temperatures of  70-90°F year round, cooler at night. Sow seeds on soil surface, and grow in strong artificial light to full sun.

 

Lifespan and reproduction: Perennial. Reproduces by seed and occasional division, and may be propagated through cuttings.

 

Sources: https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/image-display.php?species_id=124760&image_id=2

https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=124760

https://www.cpukforum.com/forum/index.php?/topic/38048-drosera-dielsiana/page/2/