crescent-leaved sundew

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sondera peltata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Drosera peltata, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Caryophyllales. Finally, it is a member of the family Droseraceae and falls under the genus Drosera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range spanning across parts of Oceania. Within Australia, its distribution includes the states of New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Beyond the Australian continent, the species is also found in the northern regions of New Zealand. These specific locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in diverse coastal and temperate environments. Consequently, its presence is well-documented across both Australian territories and New Zealand North.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Drosera peltata is characterized by a significant altitudinal distribution, primarily occupying lowland habitats while extending into high-altitude environments. The species exhibits a broad elevational range, beginning at a minimum altitude of 1200 m AMSL and reaching a maximum elevation of 3650 m AMSL. Across its known distribution, the plant maintains an average elevation of approximately 2425 m AMSL, reflecting its ability to adapt to varying topographic and climatic conditions within its ecological niche.

Elevational range max:

3650 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2425 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Drosera peltata is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a hemicryptophyte, its perennable buds are protected at or just below the soil surface during unfavorable periods, a strategy that complements its classification as a chamaephyte. This botanical structure supports its ability to manage seasonal changes, particularly as the species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in response to environmental shifts. Through this combination of life forms and growth patterns, Drosera peltata maintains a resilient presence in its ecological niche, cycling through periods of active growth and dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

chamaephyte

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Drosera peltata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. As a self-supporting plant, it does not exhibit climbing behavior and functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The species is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.07 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.2025 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.2025 m

Plant height min:

0.07 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Drosera peltata is characterized by a specialized morphological and metabolic profile adapted to nutrient-poor environments. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. Its foliar architecture is notably diminutive, with leaf dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm, maintaining a mean leaf length of 0.25 cm. The leaf width remains highly consistent, with both the minimum and maximum recorded values, as well as the mean value, measured at 0.3 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on alternative physiological mechanisms to acquire essential nutrients.

Leaf length max:

0.7 cm

Leaf length mean:

0.25 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Drosera peltata involves both sexual and asexual mechanisms, as asexual reproduction is present in the species. Sexual reproduction is facilitated by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to transfer pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces small fruits that typically measure an average of 0.25 cm in length, with dimensions ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm, and an average width of 0.2 cm. The seeds produced are remarkably lightweight, characterized by a mean seed mass of 3.97e-05 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 1e-05 g to a maximum of 9e-05 g. Seed dispersal is achieved through a combination of anemochory (wind dispersal) and an unspecialized dispersal syndrome, allowing the progeny to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

unspecialized

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.25 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

present

Seed mass max:

9e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

3.97e-05 g

Seed mass min:

1e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Drosera peltata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids.

Flavonoids

1. Die Pharmazie