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Sticky diversity¦The Sundews of Western Australia
6 June , 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sundews (botanical name Drosera) are carnivorous plants that capture and digest insects using leaves covered in sticky, mucilage-producing tentacles. Western Australia is the global diversity hotspot for the genus, with more than 150 species that primarily occur in the South-West and Kimberley regions. New species continue to be discovered and described each year, with many of them already being on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss. This presentation will introduce the genus Drosera with a focus on natural history aspects such as rediscoveries of long-lost species, novel plant-animal interactions (especially kleptoparasites), and the rapidly growing role of citizen science in taxonomic and conservation research.
Thilo Krueger is a PhD student at Curtin University (Perth, Western Australia) researching carnivorous plants. He is particularly interested in their ecology, taxonomy, and conservation, primarily studying them by field research throughout Western Australia. Currently, he is researching plant-animal interactions such as prey spectra and pollinators, describing new species, and preparing assessments of the conservation status of potentially threatened species.
Theo with Drosera gigantea and Utricularia
Focus talk
Jolanda will briefly introduce her new book as a ‘soft launch’ at our next meeting. The official launch will happen during the Verticordia Festival in Wongan Hills, which falls on 1 and 2 November. She will have the book available for members to buy at a discounted price of $45. Bring cash if you are interested in purchasing a copy.
