Drosera aliciae aka Alice Sundew

Taxonomy

Drosera aliciae, also known as the Alice sundew, is a perennial carnivorous plant in the family Droseraceae. Native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, it is similar in form to other closely related species such as D. slackii and D. natalensis. It forms small, tight rosettes of wedge- to spoon-shaped leaves that can reach up to 5 cm in diameter. These leaves are green but can turn orange or reddish in high light conditions. The upper surfaces of the leaves are covered with red, sticky, glandular hairs that trap and digest insect prey. In good lighting, the insect-snagging tentacles become deeply colored with anthocyanin pigments, enhancing its attraction to insects. Drosera aliciae is relatively easy to cultivate and is one of the most common sundews in cultivation. It produces attractive scapes of pink flowers, held about 30 cm away from the carnivorous leaves to prevent pollinators from becoming ensnared. The plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Its single inflorescence, reaching up to 4 cm in height, blooms in the summer and bears 2-12 deep pink flowers that open in ascending order. The plant has a few, fairly thin, long roots and can form a dense, clumping basal rosette that can reach heights of 15-400 mm, often forming a mound due to the build-up of older dead basal leaves.

Common names

Alice Sundew, Australian Sundew, Sundew

How to care for Alice Sundew

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Alice Sundew is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Soil

Alice Sundew loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Alice Sundew requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Australian Sundew is always in the right place to thrive.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.


More info:
Wikipedia