- Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:49 am
#285390
I recently went to Hong Kong and tracked down wild Drosera oblanceolata (plant description here). D. oblanceolata is a species of sundew native to South Eastern China. In cultivation the most widely available variety appears to originate from Sunset Peak in Hong Kong. Currently, it isn't super common in the hobby and there seems to be some confusion towards whether or not many of the plants cultivated are 'true' (or just mislabelled D. spatulata as is often the case ).
In Hong Kong, the plants grow on the tops of certain peaks (intentionally being vague here). The natural habitat appears to be sunny, rocky, grassy meadows that are above the forest line. The plants occur in exposed niches such as rocky patches and bare slopes. The water source is probably entirely from precipitation - the elevation means that the habitat is often covered by fog and cloud; at night dew may also form (I did notice my breath fogging up as the sun set, indicating high humidity).
Image of the habitat
Drosera oblanceolata
Drosera oblanceolata
Drosera oblanceolata
Drosera spatulata occurs side-by-side with D. oblanceolata.
Drosera spatulata from the same location
There appears to be extensive gene flow and hybridisation between the local D. oblanceolata and D. spatulata populations. Both species occur concurrently and many plants that represent a spectrum of intermediates between the two species occur. Nonetheless, pure (or at least pure-looking) plants of both species can be found.
Intermediate of Drosera oblanceolata and Drosera spatulata. Note the broad, paddle shaped leaves reminiscent of D. spatulata and the elevated growth of D. oblanceolata
Intermediate of Drosera oblanceolata and Drosera spatulata. Note the broad, paddle shaped leaves reminiscent of D. spatulata and the elevated growth of D. oblanceolata
Conversely, this plant has D. oblanceolata-like leaves and flat growth
Further down the mountain, in a water seepage, a dark red form of D. spatulata can be found. I did not find any D. oblanceolata here. However, the intermediate plants can also be found.
Dark red D. spatulata (top) and hybrid (bottom)
The intermediates are quite similar to the plant known as Drosera sp. 'Lantau Island' in cultivation
The intermediates are quite similar to the plant known as Drosera sp. 'Lantau Island' in cultivation
As a bonus, here's a wild Nepenthes mirabilis I tracked down growing alongside a river.
In Hong Kong, the plants grow on the tops of certain peaks (intentionally being vague here). The natural habitat appears to be sunny, rocky, grassy meadows that are above the forest line. The plants occur in exposed niches such as rocky patches and bare slopes. The water source is probably entirely from precipitation - the elevation means that the habitat is often covered by fog and cloud; at night dew may also form (I did notice my breath fogging up as the sun set, indicating high humidity).
Image of the habitat
Drosera oblanceolata
Drosera oblanceolata
Drosera oblanceolata
Drosera spatulata occurs side-by-side with D. oblanceolata.
Drosera spatulata from the same location
There appears to be extensive gene flow and hybridisation between the local D. oblanceolata and D. spatulata populations. Both species occur concurrently and many plants that represent a spectrum of intermediates between the two species occur. Nonetheless, pure (or at least pure-looking) plants of both species can be found.
Intermediate of Drosera oblanceolata and Drosera spatulata. Note the broad, paddle shaped leaves reminiscent of D. spatulata and the elevated growth of D. oblanceolata
Intermediate of Drosera oblanceolata and Drosera spatulata. Note the broad, paddle shaped leaves reminiscent of D. spatulata and the elevated growth of D. oblanceolata
Conversely, this plant has D. oblanceolata-like leaves and flat growth
Further down the mountain, in a water seepage, a dark red form of D. spatulata can be found. I did not find any D. oblanceolata here. However, the intermediate plants can also be found.
Dark red D. spatulata (top) and hybrid (bottom)
The intermediates are quite similar to the plant known as Drosera sp. 'Lantau Island' in cultivation
The intermediates are quite similar to the plant known as Drosera sp. 'Lantau Island' in cultivation
As a bonus, here's a wild Nepenthes mirabilis I tracked down growing alongside a river.