Drosera kenneallyi Species Profile

Drosera kenneallyi Species Profile

Drosera kenneallyi is a sundew in the section Lasiocephala (the Petiolaris complex) endemic to the Kimberleys of Western Australia and the Top End of the Northern Territory.

The species has relatively large reniform laminae that are produced a the end of a long, thin petiole. The laminae are often coloured bright red while the petioles are variably green to red. The plants are rather large and can grow around 8 cm in diameter. The species enters dormancy at the onset of the dry season, retreating energy from its leaves and forming a resting corm under the surface of the soil. This is in contrast to most other members of the Petiolaris complex, which form a hairy bud of leaves.

I have observed ths species in the Northern Territory where it occupies seasonally inundated grassy habitats with silty/clayey substrates. It is often sympatric with U. bidentata. These habitats are waterlogged and plants may be temporarily inundated after heavy rain.

Drosera kenneallyi can be distinguished from other members of the Petiolaris complex by its moderately large, reniform laminae.The species shares an obvious affinity with D. falconeri which shares the reniform lamina morphology and subterranean dormancy. It can be distinguished by the size of the laminae, which are much larger in D. falconeri. Whereas D. kenneallyi is mostly known from the edge of swamps, D. falconeri grows in the floodplains of large rivers albeit in similar niche in sandy silt beneath tall grass.

D. kenneallyi near Pine Creek
D. kenneallyi near Pine Creek
Growing on the Arnhem Highway
Growing on the Arnhem Highway

Drosera kenneallyi near Darwin. Note the reniform laminae at the end of a thin petiole.
A dormant specimen near Darwin at the start of the dry season. Note the lack of a hairy leaf bud. The laterite base rock can be seen.
Two plants with a ruler near Darwin.
The habitat in the grassy clay pan near Darwin.
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