Drosera spatulata
Drosera spatulata is known as the spoon-leaved sundew because of its’ wee spoon-shaped leaves. The Latin name literally translates to “spatula shaped.” That said, the species is variable, so leaf shape may be a little different depending on which variety you’re ogling. One may look like teaspoons, another soup spoons… you get the idea. D. spatulata varietals are frequently known by the region of their origin.
D. spatulata is a successful sundew having spread across a broad range of territories through Southeast Asia in southern Japan and China, New Guinea, Micronesia, and into eastern territories in New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia.
This sundew, like Drosera capensis, is an easy grower and often a “weed” among carnivorous plant collections given the copious seed produced and high rate of germination. I’d call that a good problem to have.
Unique biology of Drosera spatulata
Trap characteristics
As mentioned, Drosera spatulata is variable, but all varietals produces 1 to 2 inch (2.5-5 cm) rosettes of adorable, carnivorous, spooned leaves. Every carnivorous spoon is adorned with medium-length glands that secret that famous sundew death glue. Carnivorous spoons are attached to the center of the rosette via non-carnivorous petioles. Plant coloration ranges from pale green to deep red, and just about every shade in between.
Drosera spatulata produces 3 in (8 cm) tall flowering stalks in early summer with approximately six small flowers of pink or white. They’re dainty, beautiful, and frequently self-pollinating.
Other notable characteristics
Jacques Labillardière formally described Drosera spatulata in his 1804 publication Novae Hollandiae Plantarum Specimen. Twenty years later, D. spatulata was included an misspelled as Drosera spathulata in a publication by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle. This misspelling (note the addition of a “h” in D. spathulata) is still unfortunately common even today. Thanks, Augustin…
Two official varieties of Drosera spatulata have been described. In 2005, Robert Gibson and Ivan Snyder described D. spatulata var. gympiensis who noted this variety’s hairy flower sepals. A few years later (2009), Drosera spatulata var. bakoensis, from Bako National Park in Sarawak, Borneo was identified and formally described.
Other Sundew varieties, species & hybrids
Drosera schizandra
You'll fall in love with the heart-leafed sundew, Drosera schizandra! That is, if you can figure out how to keep it happy... It is a beautiful and unusual specimen, and one of the few carnivorous plants that grows on the rainforest floor!
Drosera prolifera
I'm not sure why this sundew isn't more common in collections; it's literally named for its spectacular ability to proliferate. Along with Drosera adelae and Drosera schizandra, it is one of the “Three Sisters from Queensland” as coined by Peter D'Amato in The Savage Garden.
Drosera adelae
Drosera adelae is one queen from Queensland that can be a crown jewel in any collection. It's quick to grow, quick to self-propagate, and produces dew like it's going out of style.
Drosera filiformis
I've heard Drosera filiformis referred to as nature's anti-aircraft gun for its ability to snipe flying insects out of the air. It's more commonly called the thread-leaved sundew due to its slender, filamentous leaves that reach towards the sky in an effort to tempt low-altitude insects into taking a detour to Sticky Town.
Drosera gigantea
"The giant sundew," indeed! This erect perennial tuberous sundew is one of the largest 'dews around, growing up to 3 feet (0.9 m) in height and branching like a carnivorous tree. Neat.
Drosera scorpioides
A titan among tots, D. scorpioides is commonly known as the shaggy sundew and hails from Australia. Even the darn pygmy plants want to kill you in Australia...
Drosera regia
With 2 foot (0.6 m) leaves the King Sundew, Drosera regia, has earned its grandiose name. It is an archaic species and one of the oldest to survive to modern times.
Drosera spatulata
known as the spoon-leaved sundew because of its' wee spoon-shaped leaves. The Latin name literally translates to "spatula shaped." One may look like teaspoons, another soup spoons... you get the idea.
Drosera capensis ‘Narrow Leaf’
Drosera capensis 'Narrow Leaf' This is your typical "common" capensis. Drosera capensis 'Narrow Leaf' is an incredibly hearty sundew that I have found hard to kill even through repeated neglect. That said, it's a [...]
Drosera binata var. dichotoma ‘Giant’
A monster of a forked sundew, D. binata dichotoma 'Giant' generates forked sundew leaves up to two feet long with four to twelve forks. Since individual leaves fan out from the central growth point, you can end up with 4 foot sundews!
Drosera capensis ‘Wide Leaf’
Cape Sundews hail from South Africa, and are some of the heartiest Drosera around. They're easy to grow, producing bountiful flowers atop long flower stalks and thousands of seeds - often becoming weeds growing amongst your other carnivores.