In a reserve in SE Melbourne, we found a natural hybrid between Drosera auriculata and D. gunniana. Both parent species grew in intermixed populations, so it’s not unusual that the hybrid is formed. This plant most closely resembled D. auriculata by its tall, unbranched major axis that is blushed with red towards the end of the growing season. The petals (although spent) seemed to be vivid pink – a colour more commonly observed in D. auriculata than in D. gunniana. The sepals are sparsely hairy, with long and thick hairs – representing a midpoint between densely hairy sepals of D. gunniana and the glabrous sepals of D. auriculata. The flower buds are also close to the highest leaves, presumably an influence from D. gunniana.

I’ve also recorded another hybrid between these two species at a nearby site.