Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Heterotrophic (Insectivorous / Carnivorous) |
| Plant Shape | Fountain (Palm-like) |
| Maximum Height | 5 cm |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 7 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small, compact carnivorous plant. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves have long petioles and small, round leaf blades which are armed with red, sticky tentacles. They are densely arranged in a rosette, forming a fountain-like shape. Small insects that are trapped on the sticky tentacles become slowly digested, providing nutrients to the plant. |
| Flowers | Light purple, star-shaped flowers are composed of 5 obovate (tear-drop shaped) petals. |
| Fruit | The dry, dehiscent fruit is known as a capsule. |
| Taxonomy | Drosera paradoxa belongs to a group of similar-looking sundews known as the 'petiolaris-complex' which produce a rosette of leaves with long petioles (leaf-stalks) and small, round leaf blades with sticky tentacles. The species within this complex can hybridize with one another. |
| Cultivation | This species prefers nutrient poor, acidic potting media which is kept slightly damp at all times. A 1:1 mix of peat and sand works well. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Terrarium |
| Thematic Landscaping | Carnivorous Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Red |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Sticky |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Red |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Sticky |
| Foliar Modification | Sticky Trap |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Orbicular / Round) |
| Foliar Venation | Reticulate |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Nanophyll ( 0.25cm2 - 2.25 cm2 ) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32880 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7294 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
