Drosera spatulata var lovellae

Drosera spatulata var. lovellae, also known as Drosera lovellae, is a variety of the spoon-leaved sundew found on Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia. It was named by F.M. Bailey in 1893 and is distinguished from Drosera spatulata var. spatulata by having flowers with 4 styles instead of 3. However, the acceptance of this name is not widespread as the distinction is not considered significant enough. The arrangement of stigmas and styles in Drosera flowers can vary considerably within species and even on the same plant.

Drosera spatulata, the spoon-leaved sundew, is a variable and rosette-forming carnivorous plant with spoon-shaped leaves. The specific epithet "spatulata" is derived from the Latin word for "spatula-shaped," referring to the form of its leaves. This sundew has a wide distribution and occurs naturally throughout Southeast Asia, southern China, Japan, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, eastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Variations of this species are often identified by the localities in which they are found.

Similar to its counterparts, Drosera spatulata var. lovellae does not form hibernacula in winter and can be easily cultivated using the same methods as Drosera capensis. However, it is worth noting that carnivorous plant enthusiasts often consider D. spatulata to be a weed due to its hardiness and prolific seed production when it flowers. The seeds have a tendency to germinate effortlessly, resulting in the emergence of small plants in nearby pots.

This variable perennial plant produces small rosettes with numerous spatulate leaves, generally measuring about 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter. Each leaf is connected to the central rosette by a narrow petiole that is glandular only on the upper half and approximately 0.3 inches (8 mm) long. The individual leaf laminae typically measure around 0.2 inches (5 mm) long and 0.16 inches (4 mm) wide. In early summer, the plants produce erect scapes that reach a height of 3.1 inches (8 cm), bearing approximately six small white or pink flowers on each one-sided racemose inflorescence. Each flower can be up to 0.24 inches (6 mm) across.

Drosera spatulata var. lovellae thrives in full sun and benefits from sitting in a dish of water with 2 inches of water. Its carnivorous nature makes it excellent at catching flying insects, making it a valuable addition to gardens aiming to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.