Overview
- Researchers from Curtin University and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy located Drosera silvicola after a multi‑day survey at Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary east of Perth.
- PhD student Thilo Krueger spotted suitable habitat on a late detour, leading the team to thousands of plants in open Jarrah forest on ridges and slopes with little leaf litter.
- The species is listed by Western Australia’s DBCA as Priority 1, indicating it is extremely rare and potentially threatened pending a full conservation assessment.
- Specimens were collected for formal documentation with the WA Herbarium, and the team plans to return to monitor the population as it comes into bloom.
- Conservationists say finding a robust population on protected land strengthens prospects for the species in a region renowned for more than 150 carnivorous plant species vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change.