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Drosera spatulata
My 500th spotting, and it's taken me over 2 years to get here. Yes, I am a plodder. I wanted to show something a little bit different to mark the occasion, so I thought a carnivorous plant might just fit the bill. This is a Spoon-leaved Sundew, and it's a variable, rosette-forming plant with spoon-shaped leaves. The upper surface of the leaves have glands that secrete a sticky substance. There are two types of glands - stalked glands that capture the insects, and sessile glands that secretes enzymes and absorbed the nutrients from the trapped insects. This species also has small red buds which produce white flowers (photo 4). Pretty cool, eh?
Spotted on the western shore of Brown Lake (conservation area), North Stradbroke Island. Growing in moist white sand amongst water reeds at lakes edge. Sand appeared to be mixed with some soil and decomposed vegetation, so probably nutrient-rich. Good sunlight for most of the day. This is a freshwater lake.
Spotted on May 27, 2015
Submitted on May 29, 2015
20 Comments
Bring back the mega fauna! I could use a marsupial lion right now.
Crazy thing is that the drop bear was very real not too long ago.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsupial_l...
Thanks Neil, very funny! Vegemite did work well until they changed the recipe!! ;)
Cheers, Ashley and Dan. They are quite amazing. I'm on the look-out now for more species.
Great series, Neil! Love the close-up, sundew are so neat! Congrats on 500 :)
Nice sundew Neil! Congrats on 500.
Cheers, Triggs. A little bit of subtle humour that Aussies and Kiwis get a kick out of. You'll love this - http://australianmuseum.net.au/drop-bear... Still makes me chuckle :)
Another great series Neil. Congrats on your 500. Like the Drop Bear avatar :)
Thanks. It's a gorgeous habitat, and so pristine. Little sundews are happy living there.
Brilliant plant indeed! And what a nice habitat. I see a congrats is in order: Congratulations!
Thanks very much, Muana. Brilliant plants.
Congrats on spotting #500! Pretty cool plant.
Thanks guys. I never thought I'd reach 500. Now I'll sweat it out to 1K. And Daniele, Brown Lake is awesome. Didn't see the frogs, but the wrong time of the day and it's still so warm. Next time I'll stay a few days and do some night spotting. Will also check out Blue and Turtle Lakes. I'm off to Girraween on Monday :)
Great spotting and congrats, Neil.
Congratulations Neil, wonderful spotting
Congrats Neil! As Mark said. It's not about numbers :-) Brown Lake is great isn't it? Did you see any frogs there?
Great one - good choice for 500th!
Thanks, Mark and Marek. Slow as I may be, I do my best.
Congrats Neil. Plod with quality. :)
Very nice :)