Range: northern North America, Great Lakes region

 

This hybrid between Drosera linearis x rotundifolia is the sterile precursor to the polyploid species D. anglica, and is nearly identical to the latter without close inspection. Any locations where the two parental species occur may give rise to this hybrid (Montana, Great Lakes region, northeastern Canada), however thus far populations have only been confirmed within Ontario, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Plants are most likely to grow on the edges of sphagnum or other acidic hummocks within alkaline fens, constantly moist areas intermediate between the parental niches. This hybrid may reach up to 10 cm in height, with a semi-erect rosette of elongate paddle-shaped leaves. Lamina are slender, parallel, and glabrous to sparsely indumentous, ½-2/3 the length of the total leaf. Lamina are obovate, broadest in the upper 2/3-3/4 with a rounded edge and tapered base. Coloration is green to reddish flushed with bright red tentacles. Inflorescences may reach 16 cm in height bearing a half dozen or so blooms. The flowers are small, only around 7 mm across with ovate or obovate white petals, and are sterile. This taxon is readily distinguished from either parent due to the distinctly intermediate leaf shapes, and from anglica in having smaller flowers, thinner flower stalks (roughly 1-1.5 mm diameter vs. up to 2 mm), and of course sterile blooms not producing seeds. Distinguishing from the similar hybrid x obovata may be exceedingly difficult if both occur, though the latter tends to have shorter leaves and lamina, and thicker petioles. Genetic testing is the easiest means to identify

 

Cultivation: grow in 100% peat moss or a peat/sand mix, kept moist to waterlogged with moderate humidity and temperatures between 60-80°F during the growing season. In winter when plants develop hibernacula, allow soil to dry to just damp and place in a cold location for at least 3 months or until spring. If producing seeds to make this hybrid, sow on soil surface and provide a 4-6 week cold stratification, and grow in strong artificial light or full sun.

 

Lifespan and reproduction: perennial. Reproductively sterile, but can be grown through cuttings.

 

Sources: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/27362501 Tyler Miller under copyright https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Lowrie et al. (2017). Drosera of the World Vol. 2. Redfern Natural History Productions