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Known to occur from Northern Venezuela to Southwestern
Brazil, Drosera sessilifolia is the second most
widespread Drosera species in South America. An annual
related to the very similar Australian Drosera burmannii,
with which it freely hybridises to form the unusually
fertile hybrid Drosera thelocalyxiana.
Although Drosera sessilifolia is one of the most
widespread Drosera in South America, its
frustratingly rare, occurring in very specific and
restricted habitats. Its also an annual and
extremely difficult to catch during its brief flowering
period. It will only open its flowers for a few hours in
the morning, but like its close cousin Drosera burmannii,
from which it is nearly indistinguishable, its
exasperatingly shy to flower, hardly opening up its
petals completely. The leaves of Drosera burmannii are
more triangular and those of Drosera sessilifolia more
rounded.
The leaves form a rosette lying flat upon damp soil. The
rosette is about 4 cm across and the leaves are spoon-shaped.
In full sunlight, the plants turn red. You'll see erect
scapes with pink flowers in the Summer which bear copious
quantities of seeds.
The visiting insects are attracted to the leaves by the
glistening tips of the hairs. The leaves, curl around any
captured prey like a fist. Once caught the insect is
digested by the sticky digestive fluid poured out by the
plant. This unique way of obtaining nitrogenous food
enables these plants to live in soils poor in available
nitrogen.
Hardiness zones 7-10, (1°C/35°F, -15°C/5°F) in Winter.
Grow in bright light. You can use a mix of one part peat
moss for one part sand. In cultivation Drosera
Sessilifolia is always a glimmer of what it is in the
wild, remaining tiny in all aspects. In nature, they grow
in small populations not too far from the road , where
there is some cows and horses. Maybe theyre
dependent on more fertile patches of soils. So, in
cultivation, you may try to fertilize them.
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out
between waterings. Water must be distilled or rain water
because they do not tolerate city or hard water. It is a
good idea to place a pie pan or large saucer, with about
an inch of water in it, under the pot. Elevate the pot by
placing pebbles under it so that the base of the pot is
barely in contact with the water, not submerged; the
growing medium must stay moist, but never soggy. This
will keep the humidity around the plant higher and it
will ensure that the plant has a constant source of
moisture. The humidity should be between 60-80%.
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