Carnivorous Plants of the United States and Canada

by Schnell, Donald

• ISBN13: 9780881925401
• ISBN10: 0881925403
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-06-08
• Publisher: Timber Pr

Summary

In this greatly expanded and revised edition of his classic treatment, Donald Schnell examines in detail the 45 species and numerous hybrids of carnivorous plants that grow in the U.S. and Canada. Information on each species includes an identifying description, the preferred habitat, the range in which it can be found, and the season for flowering and trapping, making this book a useful field guide as well as a fascinating source of leisure reading. With a full array of maps, drawings, and 200 color photos, this volume promises to enrich every enthusiast's library with a wealth of information. Hobbyists will find much to their liking as well. Schnell gives detailed instructions for growing these plants.

Table of Contents

Preface	9	(4)
Carnivorous Plants: An Introduction	13	(68)
Venus Flytrap	81	(18)
Eastern North American Pitcher Plants	99	(130)
California Pitcher Plant	229	(14)
Sundews	243	(45)
Butterworts	288	(44)
Bladderworts	332	(63)
Other Possible Carnivorous Seed Plants	395	(15)
Conservation Issues	410	(27)
Appendix: Metric Conversions	437	(1)
Glossary	438	(6)
Bibliography	444	(19)
Index of Plant Names	463

Excerpts

The Genus Sarracenia was named after Michel Sarrazin (1659 - 1735), who has been called the founder of Canadian science. A French naturalist and surgeon, he became acquainted with the French botanist Tournefort and sent him examples of the New World northern pitcher plant, Sarracenica purpurea, after being appointed as surgeon-major in Quebec. Sarrazin contracted ship's fever while attending patients at Hotel Dieu and died in 1735 (Anonymous 1984).The genus Sarracenia Linnaeus is in the family Sarraceniaceae, which also includes Darlingtonia Torrey and the South American genus Heliamphora Bentham. Several others and I have informally concluded that the differences between those three genera, which together comprise the entire family Sarraceniaceae, are of such a degree that Darlingtonia and Heliamphora probably should be placed in their own families. The main commonality is that all three are New World pitcher plants; however, there are significant floral and vegetative differences among the genera.There seems to be nothing subtle about pitcher plants. Their general appearance begs attention, and when we encounter them we are almost startled. But once we look for awhile, then wander among them, we can begin to peel apart layers of subtlety and see many little secrets that collectively fit these plants so neatly into their bog habitat -- and we still do not know all the secrets.Photo: Sarracenia flava variety rugelii. The backlighting emphasizes the purple throat patches. Note the fracturing of some of the patches and separation, but no true venation.