ABOUT THIS BOOK

An exploration of the science and cultural significance of carnivorous plants, now in paperback.

Carnivorous plants are a unique botanical group, possessing modified leaves to trap, kill, and consume small creatures. As a result, they are often depicted as killers in films and literature—from Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors to the world-dominating plants of The Day of the Triffids—yet many people regard carnivorous plants as exotic and beautiful specimens to collect and display.

In this abundantly illustrated and highly entertaining book, Dan Torre describes the evolution, structure, and scientific background of carnivorous plants. Examining their cultural and social history, he also shows how they have inspired our imagination and been represented in art, literature, cinema, animation, and popular culture.

From the Venus flytrap—a species endemic to the Carolinas—to pitcher plants, this fascinating history of these singular, arresting, beautiful, yet deadly plants is certain to be devoured.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Dan Torre is a senior lecturer in the School of Design at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of Cactus, also published by Reaktion Books.

REVIEWS

“The storytelling is exemplary. . . . Torre takes you from Ed Wood to Pokémon, from surrealistic art to synergistic relationships between bats and plants, all without missing a beat. This is one of those books that takes an already fascinating topic—animal-eating plants—and makes it even more exciting, more weird, and endlessly fascinating.”

— Tim Entwistle, director and CEO, Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria, Australia

“Carnivorous Plants is one of the few books that provides sound information and interweaves various fields of knowledge that would not normally come together creating a body of work that is comprehensive. The style is easily accessible and ultimately readable and entertaining.”

— Randall W. Robinson, Victoria University Melbourne

"Dozens of photographs in Carnivorous Plants highlight the delicate beauty and adaptivity of these vegetable wonders, and a list of resources at the end includes carnivorous plant conservation organizations, blogs, and live-plant suppliers. Most readers of Torre’s appreciative little book, no doubt, will cast aside fears and fantasy and, perhaps, even invite a few of the little meat eaters into their homes and gardens."

— Laurence A. Marschall, Natural History

"In this enjoyable and informative book, Torre provides a broad introduction to what makes a plant 'carnivorous,' taking a modern approach to the topic that not only includes the classic insect capture by the infamous Venus flytrap (Dionaea) and sundew (Drosera), but also presents a newer understanding of mineral nutrient acquisition from bacterial decomposition, and even the symbiotic use of mammalian fecal matter by the tropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes). The work stands out for its broad historical perspective, providing numerous illustrations reproduced from early works. . . . The science is accurate and is supported by adequate references that do not overwhelm the reader, making this an especially accessible work on a truly fascinating group of plants. Highly recommended."

— Choice

"There’s no denying that carnivorous plants—diminutive as they tend to be—have made great subjects for horror stories. . . . Their appearances in films, television series, and books as monster plants that munch on humans as compulsively as if they were chocolates is one of the themes of a new book, Carnivorous Plants. . . . Torre takes a broader approach to these green predators than the authors of most other books on the subject. He looks at how they have inspired artists, clothing designers, and industrial designers. . . . Torre also explores all the ways in which meat-eating plants feed our imagination. He also lays bare how the behavior of real-life carnivorous plants is often so outlandish you couldn’t make it up."

— Age (Australia)

"We’re not inclined to think of plants deriving nourishment from 'meat' and yet there are currently more than seven-hundred recognized species of carnivorous plants. This book features exquisite images of many of them, along with the author’s entertaining and comprehensive information on their evolution, structure, scientific background, and social and cultural history."

— Gardening Australia Magazine

"Carnivorous Plants is a highly readable, informative, and entertaining natural history."

— Botany One

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
one The Natural History of Carnivorous Plants
two More than Just a Meal
three A Remarkable Discovery
four Attack of the Killer Plants
five Magnificent Carnivores
six Collecting, Growing and Conserving Carnivorous Plants
Timeline of Carnivorous Plants
References
Further Reading
Associations and Websites
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index

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