Range: southwest Australia from Perth to Geraldton

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Named for the highly bristly stipule bud formed in dormancy, this pygmy sundew is found across a relatively wide range in southwestern Australia, though most commonly in the Hill River region where it grows in deep sandy or clay-sand soils along winter-wet streams and water-collection areas. Plants may reach 1.5 cm in diameter, with a relatively flat rosette of small paddle-shaped leaves that press downward to the soil. Petioles are near-parallel and almost completely glabrous; lamina are ovular in shape and slightly dimpled in their center, with extremely long marginal tentacles at the end. Coloration is bright green with a yellow lamina blush, and dark red tentacles forming an orange tint overall. Inflorescences are up to 9 cm tall, sparsely glandular but increasing in density from base to the rachis, and may support up to 12 flowers. Flowers may be up to 2 cm across, with oblong to obovate petals colored brilliant orange with a metallic-gold overlay sheen and sometimes a darker orange-red midvein near the petal base. This species can be distinguished from its relatives like D. leucoblasta by its more elliptic lamina shape, ovoid and bristly stipule bud, flower center and stamens greenish to whitish.

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Cultivation: grow in a deep pot with 2:1 sand/peat soil, kept moist to almost wet during the winter growing season with temperatures of 45-70°F. In summer, avoid drying out as dormancy can be difficult to reverse, but allow photoperiod and temperatures to increase. Sow seeds or gemmae on soil surface (seeds may require hot stratification, GA3 soak, or other treatments to germinate), and grow in strong artificial light to full sun.

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Lifespan and reproduction: perennial, to 5 years. Reproduces through gemmae and, rarely, seed, and may possibly be propagated via leaf pullings.

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Sources: https://inaturalist.lu/photos/333073508 Author Russ Chambers under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Lowrie et al. (2017). Drosera of the World Vol. 2. Redfern Natural History Publications.