| Drosera ascendens | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Droseraceae |
| Genus: | Drosera |
| Subgenus: | Drosera subg. Drosera |
| Section: | Drosera sect. Drosera |
| Species: | D. ascendens |
| Binomial name | |
| Drosera ascendens A.St.-Hil. | |
Drosera ascendens is a carnivorous plant in the family Droseraceae. It is endemic to southeastern Brazil. [1]
D. ascendens is micro-endemic to the Chapada Diamantina plateau in central Minas Gerais, Brazil. Alongside D. ascendens, the Drosera villosa complex consists of several closely related species, highlighting the biological diversity present within the genus Drosera in southern Brazil. [2]
The ecological context of D. ascendens is critical for understanding its distribution. Unlike many of its congeners, D. ascendens prefers drier microhabitats, differentiating it from other species in the region, such as D. graminifolia, which inhabits higher moisture areas [2] [3] This habitat specialization is crucial for its survival, especially given the competitive plant communities it is surrounded by. Moreover, D. ascendens contributes to its environment by attracting specific pollinators and kleptoparasitic organisms, such as Toxomerus basalis larvae. These interactions indicate a complex ecological role reflecting its adaptations to both its immediate ecological niche and the larger ecosystem dynamics [3] .
