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The Rainbow Plants
Byblis sp.
In Greek mythology, one of the
granddaughters of Apollo was named
Byblis. For falling in love with her
brother, and from the sadness of
being refused, she was consumed by
her own tears and turned into a
fountain. One can imagine a Byblis
liniflora specimen as a fountain, with
its dew covered leaves resembling
sprays of water.
Although very
similar in appearance to sundews
(Drosera), the Rainbow Plants are
believed to be more closely related to
the butterworts (Pinguicula).
Photo from California Carnivores
http://www.californiacarnivores.com
How They Trap Food:
The Rainbow Plants, like the sundews, are covered in
stalked glands which produce a clear, sticky mucilage. Insects that land on the leaves of the
plant become stuck in this glue and die from suffocation or exhaustion. No movement of the
leaves or glands occurs. After death of the prey, a second set of glands that lie flat on the
leaf surface secrete digestive substances. It is also thought that Byblis may host assassin
bugs, which kill the insect prey and secrete waste which the plant utilizes.
Typical Prey:
Small flying insects like gnats and mosquitoes.
Where They Live:
The Rainbow Plants hail from Australia and New Guinea. Byblis
gigantea grows in southwestern Australia. Byblis liniflora can be found in northern Australia
and southern New Guinea.
Species:
The most well known species in cultivation are Byblis liniflora (pictured) and
Byblis gigantea. Other species include B. aquatica, B. filifolia, B. lamellata and B. rorida.
Basic Care:
Byblis liniflora is the species most often encountered in cultivation and
is considered the easiest to grow. They do well in plastic pots, in soil consisting of two
parts sand to one part peat. Water by the tray method: leave the plant sitting in a shallow
dish of rain or distilled water. B. liniflora does very well in a terrarium under medium to
high intensity fluorescent lighting. As B. liniflora is a tropical species, the temperature
should be maintained above 70ºF. Propagation by seeds is easily achieved as B. liniflora
will produce numerous flowers which will self-pollinate and produce copious amounts of
seed.
Reference: D’Amato, Peter. 1998. The Savage Garden. Berkeley, California.: Ten Speed Press