Grampians Trip Report

John Taylor [The Banshee] (rphjt@minyos.xx.rmit.OZ.AU)
Mon, 28 Sep 92 16:28:57 +0000

Hi all! I've just got back from The Grampians and I thought I'd give a brief
run-down on the CPs I came across this time. As usual, Drosera auriculata
and D. whittakerii were readily found in large numbers. Both species were
found to vary greatly in colouration from the usual yellow-green to a nice
red-burgandy colour which seems to be due to the growing conditions and/or
possibly the age of the plants (the red forms tended to be found in shady
conditions, but this wasn't always the case). D. auriculata also occured in
a few different forms - again most likely due to the environmental conditions
than genetics - thick, green plants dominated, but there were some which had
a distinctly long-stemmed (both leaf and main stems) scrambling habit, whilst
others were much more delicate and finer in appearance (and were often deep
red too). Very few (if any) of the plants were in flower at this time.
Also found were Drosera glanduligera plants - naturally the ones that I found
*after* I took a photo were much larger specimens :-( - and as usual I found
them with flower buds, but no open flowers. The largest plants were at least
and inch across and have very long, thick tentacles on the edges of the leaves
(which helps to distinguish them from D. auriculata basal rosettes when the
flower scapes aren't present). This species is rather uncommon, as it is
at the "local" site near home. The only other CP I found was Utricularia
dichotoma which grows in wet moss layers on rocks (not in swampy sites as
you would expect, although it may in other parts of Australia). There were
quite a few flower stalks present, but only a couple of partially opened
flowers. However, I was able to confirm that this species has spotted/flecked
/blotched markings on the upper lip of the corolla, and probably should be
made a var./form of the typical species. BTW, D. auriculata was sometimes
found growing in the moss layers with U. dichotoma - the moss is only 1/2"
thick at most!

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| John Taylor [The Banshee] | Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology |
| rphjt@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au | Department of Applied Physics |
| MOKING IS A HEALTH HAZARD. | Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA |
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