Roridula gorgonias seeds

Roridula gorgonias is a woody, evergreen carnivorous shrub endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a specialist of mountain fynbos habitats, specifically thriving in perennially damp peat bogs and seepage sites at low to moderate elevations near the coast. This is the easier of the two species in the Roridula genus. Its most unique morphological feature is that its glands secrete a water-insoluble resin rather than mucilage. Since it cannot digest the prey itself, the plant instead relies on a mutualistic relationship with the symbiotic assassin bug (Pameridea roridulae) to digest its prey. Some people would call this plant protocarnivorous, but I (and others) believe it is carnivorous, as the roots absorb the droppings from the Pameridea roridulae, which get their meals from the sticky leaves of the plant itself. I compared it to the relationship Nepenthes lowii and Dendrogale melanura have, where the N. lowii adapated to rely on the poop from the tree shrew to provide nutrients, and it does not catch prey directly like some other Nepenthes.

Seeds from the Roridula genus are some of the largest carnivorous plant seeds, but fairly small, ranging between 2-4mm. Germination can take anywhere from 45-180 days, but generally occur within the first four weeks under optimal conditions. Cold stratification is not needed. Smoke treatment can be used, but I don't find it necessary for germinating seeds of this species. I recommend sowing on a mix of washed peat moss and silica sand or perlite.

This offer includes a packet of 5 seeds per order. Seeds are wrapped in an origami paper envelope and put into a small plastic baggie. Please be careful when opening the packets as the seeds are extremely small (see photo(s)) Seeds are shipped in a padded, tracked envelope without a heat pack. I do not offer untracked shipping for seeds at this time.

Any photos of plants are representative of what a mature plant/leaves/flower, etc. may look like for reference only. Pictures of seeds are to show the size of seeds from this species. Any photos of seeds are representative of what you will receive and they are not exact seeds you will receive.