Drosera erythrorhizaCommon name: Red Ink Sundew
Meaning of name: Drosera is from the Greek word droseros, meaning dewy. It refers to the prominent glandular hairs which give the appearance of being covered in dew. Erythrorhiza is from the Greek words erythros, meaning red, and rhiza, meaning root.
Distribution: Occurs from Geraldton to Esperance.
Description: A flat rosette of leaves up to 8 centimetres across. The flower stalk comes from the centre of the plant and bears up to 30 white flowers. The flowers are borne in May and June.
Notes: Drosera are carnivorous and supplement their diet by trapping and digesting insects. The insects are caught on the sticky leaf surfaces and digested by enzymes produced by the plant.
References: Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.
Carnivorous Plants of Australia. Volume 1. Allen Lowrie. 1987.
Carnivorous Plants of Australia Magnum Opus. Volume 1. Allen Lowrie. 2013.
Florabase https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/3095
Drosera erythrorhiza showing glands on leaf.
Drosera erythrorhiza showing the pink flush to the leaves that occurs as plants age.
