Rare carnivorous plant found near Perth
The team of scientists and volunteers from Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) and Curtin University discovered the large population of Drosera silvicola at AWC’s Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary at Gidgegannup on Whadjuk country.
It’s the third confirmed population of the species. The other two populations are on mining sites more than 70km away.
As a Priority 1 species, Drosera silvicola is recognised by the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) as being an extremely rare and potentially threatened plant.
“We knew it [the species] was previously recorded in the area over 30 years ago, but given we had already searched for nearly two full days I had started to doubt the validity of that old record,” said PhD student Thilo Krueger, from Curtin University’s School of Molecular and Life Sciences.
“I was so excited when I first spotted the plant out of the car window, I jumped out of the door fist pumping the air and threw myself on the ground next to it. The area had ridges and slopes that sat high up. It was in the Jarrah Forest, but it was an open area with very little leaf litter – the perfect environment for the species.
“Drosera silvicola is a very distinctive species of sundew because of its beautiful, absolutely stunning flowers with pink, glossy petals and a dark red centre. While only a few centimetres in size, it captures and digests tiny insects using its leaves, which are covered with sticky tentacles.”
Dr Amanda Bourne, Regional Ecologist with AWC, said “to find such a healthy population of this rare species on a protected conservation area is a huge win for conservation. The discovery highlights the importance of wildlife sanctuaries like Paruna in preserving Australia’s unique biodiversity.”
Specimens were collected for the Western Australian Herbarium to officially record the population.
The surveys also revealed five other sundew species present at the site – Drosera walyunga (endemic to Walyunga NP, Paruna and Avon Valley NP), Drosera hyperostigma, Drosera pallida, Drosera collina, Drosera silvicola, and Drosera glanduligera.
Experts believe Paruna may be home to so many rare plant species due to its diverse topography.
“Paruna’s landscape and relatively undisturbed habitats is likely to make it a treasure trove for native flora,” said Wildflower Society of WA’s Jolanda Keeble. “Discoveries like this underscore just how much we still have to learn about the plant life in our own backyard, and how vital it is to protect these landscapes.”
