Munich – A Bavarian sundew was discovered more than 30 years ago, but information about the find was only recently disclosed. What makes this discovery so significant?
Bavarian Carnivorous Plant Gains Fame Three Decades After Discovery
A new carnivorous plant from Bavaria has come to light through a stroke of luck more than thirty years after it was first found. The Bavarian State Collection of Natural Sciences (SNSB) in Munich reported that the plant is a Bavarian sundew, officially named Drosera bavarica. The find, recovered from a botanist’s estate, is remarkable for several reasons.
In Central Europe, Germany, and Bavaria, the discovery of new plant species is extremely rare. Furthermore, the Bavarian sundew is not an independent species but a natural hybrid. This natural cross occurred between the long-leaved sundew (Drosera anglica) and the oblong-leaved sundew (Drosera intermedia). “Cultivation experiments in Japan as far back as 1973 proved that crossing these two species was possible,” officials explained. however, this hybrid had never been encountered in the wild until now.
Munich Botanist Found Unique Plant in Bavaria
The discovery itself took place quite some time ago: a Munich botanist collected and dried a specimen more than 30 years ago in a small moor in Southern Bavaria. Following the death of the carnivorous plant specialist, his collection was transferred to the SNSB. It was within this herbarium that an organization staff member stumbled upon the sundew hybrid.
According to the SNSB, the discoverer was already aware of the uniqueness of his find at the time. On the sheet containing the dried plant, he had preemptively noted the name Drosera bavarica. However, he did not manage to compile an official scientific description before his passing.
Source: dpa
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