International Carnivorous Plant Society

Carnivorous Plant Newsletter Archive

 

Hypothesis of tumbleweed-like dispersal of Drosera seeds

Robert Gibson

Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 49(4):181-182
Published 23 November 2020

https://doi.org/10.55360/cpn494.rg377

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Summary

Erect-growing tuberous sundews of Drosera subgenus Ergaleium section Ergaleium produce seeds of diverse size and shape. Seeds produced by such species as D. andersoniana, D. macrantha, and D. pallida are large and winged, and fit the classic model of those dispersed by the wind. However, many species in this section produce small, round seeds (e.g. D. gigantea, D. salina, and D. yilgarnensis) that appear better suited to dispersal by gravity or water than by the wind. I propose here, that long-distance dispersal of these species may also be facilitated by the transport of detached plant parts, with seed, by the wind.

Keywords: Drosera, dispersion, seeds, wind

Article Citation

Robert Gibson. 2020. Hypothesis of tumbleweed-like dispersal of Drosera seeds. Carniv. Pl. Newslett. 49(4):181-182. https://doi.org/10.55360/cpn494.rg377

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