The unusual characteristics of D. meristocaulis among the South American Drosera, such as the undivided styles, have been interpreted as evidence of this species' ancient lineage, retaining characteristics of more distant ancestors. Analysis of DNA sequences revealed that D. meristocaulis is more closely related to the Australian pygmy Drosera than other South American Drosera. The center of pygmy Drosera diversity is in Western Australia, to the east of Pico da Neblina where D. meristocaulis is found. This affinity with the pygmy Drosera suggests that the last common ancestor of D. meristocaulis and those Australian species must have lived prior to the breakup of the Gondwana landmass. It has also been proposed that D. meristocaulis is in fact a pygmy sundew itself, and arrived in South America from Australia via long range wind dispersal.