About Drosera peltata subsp. auriculata (Backh. ex Planch.) Conn
Drosera peltata is a perennial tuberous carnivorous herb. Its underground tuber typically sits 4 to 6 centimeters below the soil surface, while its aboveground aerial parts reach 5 to 50 centimeters in height, with high variation across multiple distinct forms. The subspecies Drosera peltata subsp. auriculata is usually the most robust form, growing up to the maximum 50 cm height. By contrast, an informal form often referred to as D. foliosa is the shortest, usually only 5–10 cm tall.
Most Drosera peltata produce a clear leaf rosette at the soil surface. This rosette is most prominent in D. foliosa, but it is often reduced to scales on mature plants of D. peltata subsp. auriculata. The aerial stem is simple or slightly branched in the nominal D. peltata, D. peltata subsp. auriculata, and the informal form D. gracilis.
Flower color varies, but is most often white or light pink. Overall plant color is also highly variable: D. foliosa is generally bright grass green even when growing in full direct sunlight; D. peltata subsp. auriculata is often tinged with varying amounts of red, and may even be entirely solid red; D. gracilis is always orange or dark red.
In the wild, Drosera peltata commonly grows on frost-free open flats with light scrub, in regenerating forest areas, on grassy verges, and along roadside cuttings. It grows mainly in soft fine clay, peaty, or sandy soils that are wet through winter and dry out completely over summer. This species has a large natural range, and its various forms occur naturally across southern, eastern and south-western Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand's Northland region, as well as south-east Asia and India.
Drosera peltata is one of the easiest tuberous Drosera to cultivate. This is due to its adaptable, forgiving nature when it comes to variations in water and temperature. Most tuberous Drosera require wet, cool winters (their active growing season) and warm, almost completely dry summers, or their dormant tubers will rot. Unlike most other tuberous Drosera, Drosera peltata can tolerate wetter summer conditions.
