Drosera arcturi is one of New Zealand's two species of alpine sundew. It is a summer grower and reverts to a hibernaculum to survive the cold winters. It's first upright leaves emerge in spring and are folded along their length before opening like a book when fully grown. The leaves may grow up to 10cm long but are usually less than 5cm. After the first two or three leaves have formed a solitary white flower, 13mm across, is then borne in early summer, positioned near the tops of the leaves. After flowering the leaves gradually reduce in size to eventually form the hibernaculum. The hibernaculum is normally buried near the surface of the soil or moss and is usually covered with snow for several months during winter.
Habitat -
Alpine bogs, tarns and seepages also commonly found in Sphagnum bogs.
Distribution -
Alpine areas from the East Cape of the North Island southwards to Stewart Island. Found above 1500m alt. in the north descending to sea level in the south. Also found in the mountains of Southeast Australia and Tasmania.
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