Drosera peltata is one of New Zealand's two species of cormous sundew. It usually begins growth in late autumn to early winter. Initially a rosette is formed about 2-3cm across forming numerous leaves over the course of a month or two. After this a climbing stem emerges from the centre of the rosette and rapidly grows upwards bearing shield-shaped cauline leaves every 1-2 cm to a height of about 15-30cm. Sometimes a plant may miss the rosette stage altogether and just produce a climbing stem. Last to be produced in spring are the up to 5 light pink delicately scented flowers 10-13mm across, which are terminal on the stem. Within a month or so of flowering the plant withers and turns black. The plant is now resting several centimetres below the surface as a dormant corm. The corm can withstand the dry soil through the summer until autumn rains bring it back to life again. Drosera peltata is readily distinguished from Drosera auriculata by its hairy sepals.
Habitat -
Peatlands and poor sandy or clay soils that are wet in winter but dry out in summer.
Distribution -
Fairly common north of Auckland in the North Island below about 200m alt. Also found in South, Eastern and Western Australia and Tasmania northwards to SE Asia and India.
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