Byblis

Morphological Summary

Genus of 7 species of Australian "rainbow plants" and one from Papua New Guinea. Their linear leaves and stems are completely covered with mucilage-secreting glands that glitter with iridescent flashes in the sun (hence the name "rainbow plant"). Morphologically similar to Drosera but in a different phylogenetic position. Flowers are actinomorphic, pentamerous, lilac to purple, with poricidal anthers. Only certain pollinators can vibrate the anthers to release pollen (buzz pollination).