Drosera regia is one of the world’s largest sundews named for its regal appearance. The plants are known from one river valley in Bainskloof, South Africa.
Drosera regia has a rosette of long, strappy leaves that reach up to 70 cm long, although they usually reaches about half the length. The upper surface of the leaves are densely covered in dew-bearing tentacles while the undersides are hairless with a thick central vein. The leaves spiral outwards from the centre of the plant as they develop. The flower stalks are hairless, usually branch once near the end and reach above the leaves. The flowers are pink.
The species grows above around 800 m elevation in a single valley in the Bainskloof Pass northwest of Cape Town, South Africa. It grows amongst dense patches of grassy Restios and seepages in steep terrain. In nature, the plants enter dormancy during winter, retreating back to the rhizome or a hibernacula bud. The plants emerge from dormancy in spring and flowering during the middle of summer. Hot summer weather may also result in a dormant period. It is unlikely to be confused with any other sundews due to its unique morphology and large size.
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