It is endemic to Western Australia and grows in a variety of habitats, including swampy areas and hilltops in laterite-silica sand soils.

D. marchantii produces small, circular, peltate carnivorous leaves along stiff stems that can be 10–40 cm (4–16 in) high.

In 1992, N. G. Marchant and Allen Lowrie published the formal description of D. marchantii subsp.

prophylla, a subspecies that is distinguished by its white flowers, smaller height, and numerous bracts (prophylls) on the lower part of the stem.

It has only been found in a small area north of Perth and is listed by Western Australia's Department of Environment and Conservation as a priority three poorly known taxon on the Declared Rare and Priority Flora List.