Hi,
Well, when you asked about origin I remembered I had read something somewhere, but I couldn't remember where. I searched the internet, checked my books, and then started poring over my cpn's. Sure enough, in Volume 28, #2 (June 99), Peter D'amato states:
“Some folks on the carnivorous plant listserver chat line inquired about a plant I have circulated as Drosera “Botswana.” Although I am not a taxonomist, it appears this plant is Drosera madagascariensis, native to Madagascar and Africa.
This plant was originally given to me by an actor who, at the time, did stunt work and played roles on the popular and controversial television show called “Power Rangers.” I have not seen him in a few years, but if my memory serves me correctly, he said he found the plant growing in a water ditch close to the Botswana airport.
I have become very fond of theis plant, and many of my visitors have been pleased with it as well. This strain of Drosera madagascariensis forms a cluster of circular leaf blades with narrow petioles about one or two inches long, reminiscent of D. intermedia. Like that species, it forms long trailing stems, but up to 30 cm (12 inches) long. It makes new shoots from the base of the stem, so in time the plant produces a clump of stems of varying lengths, each cloaked with dead leaves and topped with an attractive rosette of new lamina. The leaves are pale in the subdued light, but in strong light they become a lovely crimson”
That answers some questions.
Basically d. sp. "Botswana" was never thought to be a seperate species. Do you see enough substantial difference from var. major for sp. "Botswana" to qualify of a supbspecies? (You mentioned the larger lamina...)
On the subject of the 'rhodesias', Do you think Matt's plants are id'd incorrectly or can we then conclude that sp. rhodesia and madagascariensis 'Rhodesia' are not the same thing?
noah