Drosera adelae

Drosera adelae is a carnivorous plant that belongs to the family of the Droseraceae. It comes from the northeast of Queensland, Australia, and is one of only three Drosera species that occur in tropical rainforests. This species belongs to the so-called "Queensland Drosera Group", which also includes Drosera schizandra and Drosera prolifera. Drosera adelae specializes in a very special habitat and differs in several aspects from most other types of genus Drosera, in particular by adapting to shady, moist and nutrient -poor habitats.

Morphology

Drosera adelae differs from most Drosera species by their elongated, narrow leaves, which can be about 15 to 25 cm long and 1 to 2 cm wide. The leaves are lancet -shaped, flat and arranged in a rosette that grows from the base of the plant. The leaves covered with tentacles that separate small drops of sticky secretions are characteristic of this type. This secretion serves as a fishing agent for small insects that stick to the leaves and then digested by the plant.

The tentacles that are distributed over the leaf surface react to touch. As soon as an insect sticks to one of the tentacles, it is captured by the tentacles and the digestive process begins. The plant releases digestive enzymes that dissolve the insect and make the nutrients available, in particular nitrogen, for the plant.

Another interesting feature of Drosera adelae is that it is less dependent on sunlight compared to other Drosera species. It thrives in shady conditions and also retains its full ability to photosynthesis in low -light environments.

Habitat and distribution

Drosera adelae occurs endemically in the tropical rainforests of the northern Queensland, especially in the moist, shady gorges and forests along the coastal region. These areas are characterized by high air humidity, warm temperatures and nutrient -poor soils, which explains the adaptation of the plant to carnivorous mechanisms. In these habitats, it often grows near running water or on mossy soils, where it receives sufficient moisture.

The plant is dependent on consistently high humidity and constant moisture supply. It prefers acidic, peaty substrates and thrives in floors that are low in nutrients and contain hardly any organic material.

Carnivorous mechanism

Like most of the Drosera species, Drosera adelae insects with her sticky leaves to supply themselves with nutrients that are difficult to use in their natural habitat. As soon as an insect lands on the leaves, it sticks to the sticky secretions that are separated from the glands on the tentacles. The plant then begins to produce digestive enzymes that reduce the insect and absorb the released nutrients.

It is interesting that Drosera adelae tends to reduce their ability to insect trap in weak light and to rely more on photosynthesis. This is in contrast to many other Drosera species, which are strongly dependent on the catching of insects for their diet. Nevertheless, the ability to insect trap at Drosera adelae remains and represents an important survival mechanism in nutrient -poor soils.

Flower and reproduction

Drosera adelae usually blooms in summer, but the flowering in culture is not bound to a fixed season. The flowers grow on long, upright stems that protrude far beyond the fishing leaves. This prevents potential pollinators from getting into the sticky leaves. The flowers are small, star -shaped and colored in a deep red or bright orange. Each flower remains open for just a few days before withered.

The plant increases both sexually through seeds and vegetative. The vegetative propagation takes place by the formation of offshoots at the roots. These daughter plants grow next to the mother plant and can grow independently after a while. This is a common propagation pattern, especially in culture, where Drosera adelae is often kept under ideal conditions.

Cultivation

Drosera adelae is a popular plant in the cultivation of carnivorous plants because it is relatively easy to care for and can adapt well to interiors. She prefers a substrate of peat and sand or pearlit and requires constant moisture. However, waterlogging should be avoided to prevent root rot.

The plant thrives best in indirect light and high humidity. She feels comfortable in terrariums or greenhouses, and it also tolerates lower lighting conditions than many other Drosera species. In ideal conditions, Drosera adelae can grow quickly and often forms offshoots that can easily be shared into new plants.