Carnivorous Plants

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.

'Dan 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 Entwhistle, Director and Chief Executive, Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria, Australia

'We're not inclined to think of plants deriving nourishment from 'meat' and yet there are currently more than 700 recognised 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