Drosera peltata J.E.Sm. ex Willd.

DROSERACEAE

 

Vernacular names:

 

Malayalam Tamil

 - Theeppullu - Kosu oW

 

Threat status .:

Endangered (A 1 c,d) - KA & TN Vulnerable (A 1 c,d) - KL

 

Habit: Herb

 

Habitat: Along open grassy slopes and moss-clad dripping rocks of higher altitudes

 

Altitude: 800 - 2200 m

 

Distribution: Global: Indo-Malaysia, China to Japan and Australia. National: Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Regional: Usually found along exposed grassy slopes and near wet moss clad dripping rocks of higher altitudes in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

 

Description: A delicate erect tuberous herb, 10-20 cm tall, occasionally branched near the top. Tubers round, smooth, solid, reddish, about 1 cm across. Leaves are of two types: the lower leaves are spoon-shaped and arranged in whorls just above the soil surface; the upper leaves are alternate, crescent-shaped, peltate, about 5 mm across, with many tentacular projections. Tentacles are about 3 mm long, stalked, with sticky glands at tip that secretes sticky glistening liquid and arranged along the leaf margins; leaf stalks very slender, 1-2 cm long, curved. Flowers bisexual, about 1 cm across, white, usually 2-8 in terminal and lateral racemes, which are about 5 cm long. Capsules globose, about 6 mm across.

 

Phenology: Flowering: June to September; Fruiting: August to December

 

Medicinal uses: This plant is used in Siddha and Folk medicine. Leaves are used to cure blisters as well as antisyphillitic and tonic.

 

Trade information: Local, regional and global. The plant extract is traded.

 

Mode of propagation: By tubers, seeds, divisions and leaf cuttings

 

Special characters: This perennial insect-eating plant differs from its relative Drosera indica in having pea-sized tubers, hairless stems, crescent-shaped leaves and larger white flowers. The plant stains the drying paper red when preparing herbarium specimens.