Glistening Carnivores - The Sticky-leaved Insect-eating Plants - Hardback Review
Reviews and Testimonials
2009 LITERATURE AWARD FINALIST for The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries Annual Award for a Significant Work in Botanical or Horticultural Literature – see http://www.cbhl.net/litaward/final_2009.htmGlistening Carnivores is a thorough and superb documentation of all aspects of the natural history of the seven genera of carnivorous plants with flypaper or adhesive trapping mechanisms: Byblis, Ibicella, Roridula, and the monotypic Drosophyllum lusitanicum and Triphyophyllum peltatum with passive traps, and Drosera and Pinguicula with active traps. The first six chapters (66 pages) serve as an overview: introduction; Charles Darwin; the taxa; trapping mechanisms; evolution; mutualistic arthropods. The next seven chapters (262 pages) detail the seven genera. The final two chapters (30 pages) treat habitat loss and endangerment, and cultivation and horticulture. There are 7 color maps, a B&W photo of Darwin, and 271 "excellent color photos, mostly by McPherson... -- Rudolf Schmid, UC TAXON, November, 2008 (Full text at bottom of page)
All sticky-leaved carnivorous plants are covered... McPherson... has travelled the world gathering data for this book, and it shows. While many contributed, as McPherson is quick to give credit, many of the observations are first hand and wonderfully detailed. There are plenty of beautiful and detailed pictures of the plants close up and in habitat.
There is more than just coverage of glistening species in this book. There is a short, but interesting history of how the plants were viewed before Darwin wrote about their carnivory. Then McPherson dives in to the most fascinating and in depth description of Darwin's research on carnivorous plants I have yet run across. McPherson documents Darwin's love of these plants with many quotes and excerpts, all painstakingly referenced, and put in context.
After Darwin, there is a well-designed description of the basic trapping mechanisms followed by an interesting discussion of the possible evolutionary paths the plants may have taken to develop carnivory. McPherson includes a chapter on insects that live with carnivorous plants in what he describes as mutualistic relationships. He goes into great detail on the behaviours of the insects and how the plant and insect may benefit. McPherson was very careful not to make assumptions or use unpublished research, but he hinted at research that is to come, and it sounds exciting.
Each chapter covering a genus starts with taxonomy followed by botanical history, morphology and ecology. The botanical history covers how the genus got its name and hot it was, or is, used by humans. Many of these histories and plant uses are fascinating in themselves.
Triphyophyllum, for instance is used for rope, and the dew from Drosera was believed to make cows amorous. Many of these uses were new to me, and the source of most of these fun-facts-to-know are included. This adds a certain level of credibility that I found comforting.
The morphology of the plants is described in exquisite detail, and some of the more fascinating aspects of each genus and many species are not only covered thoroughly, but there are complete reports included that were generously contributed by others. For instance there is a three page report submitted by Siegfried and Irmgard Hartmeyer on the yellow, lens-headed tentacles of D. hartmeyerorum whose discovery, just a short time ago, caused such a stir in the carnivorous plant community. The reader will be fascinated by these structures and the theories for their existence.
Coverage of larger genera, such as Drosera, is broken down logically and many selected species are described in detail. Although I thought I knew a fair amount about these plants, there were a lot of new observations and insights.
Under general ecology of each genus there is much detail of the environment the plants live in, how they have adapted to that environment and how their forms and trapping mechanisms have been tweaked to wreak the greatest damage to the insect population possible. There is often coverage of mutualistic insect behaviours in the individual species chapters as well, sometimes extending over several pages. McPherson seems to have a keen eye for observation and much of this material was new to me. He clears up many misconceptions and I garnered many new insights into how these plants might be grown in my own collection from his descriptions.
This is an extremely well written, entertaining and readable book with a good amount of science sprinkled in. There is plenty of new information that will make this book of interest to even the most experienced and hardened carnivorous plant grower. No matter how many books you have, you will want to add Glistening Carnivores - The Sticky-Leaved Insect-Eating Plants to your collection.”
-- Steven Davis, Carnivorous Plant Newsletter, December, 2008(Full text at bottom of page)
McPherson’s travels to the global hinterland and collaboration with botanical specialists the world over enrich this book. Complementing the text are 279 exquisite photos of various sticky-leaved species, many published for the very first time. A short but helpful glossary plus a specialized bibliography complement the text.
We are increasingly aware of the loss of Earth’s biodiversity – a loss that is often irreparable and final. We seem unable to reverse the tide. However, maybe it will be books like this one that will provide a glimmer of hope. It is the progeny of an author whose passion for a marvellous and exquisite group of plants shines forth throughout these pages. If you are a devotee of carnivorous plants, this book is for you. If you just love plants, this book will carry you into an exotic world – a world that invites appreciation, care and maybe even love.”
-- John McCarthy, The Canadian Field-Naturalist, Vol. 122, 2009, 5935 Iona Drive,
Vancouver,
British Columbia,
Canada
The book, the second in a series covering carnivorous plants, is based on the extensive travels of the author while visiting experts in the field as well as historical collections in England. The book is lavishly illustrated (279 figures) with color photographs taken for the most part by the author in the field. Double-page and single-page photos were taken with specific care to illustrate how the plants glisten in the field with sunlight behind them. Some of the photos showing locally extensive stands are among the most striking photos yet published of these plants.
The book begins with an historical treatment emphasizing the role of Darwin in discovering the true nature of the carnivorous habit. His extensive experiments on Drosera are well detailed and illustrated. Although Darwin wrote a book he entitled “Insectivorous Plants,” we know today that these plants catch spiders and other animals that are not insects, so they must be referred to as carnivorous. Introductory chapters define the group, detail the trapping mechanisms, and speculate on the possible evolution of the group, species of which are spread over several plant families. A list of known carnivorous plant species is included.
A possibly unique chapter discusses insects with a commensal relationship to certain carnivorous plant species. It is obvious that insects serve as prey and pollinators to these plants, but a growing number of insects have been observed to have a mutually beneficial relationship. The best known example is Roridula, which apparently lacks digestive glands and must depend on specially adapted Assassin Bugs to kill and digest prey caught by the plant. Insect droppings then fertilize the plant. Several similar relationships are documented in this chapter and listed in a table.
The bulk of the book is taken up with descriptions of individual genera and species... the discussion and photos of Triphyophyllum peltatum are probably the most extensive every published. This species undergoes five different stages of growth during its life cycle, including three different leaf morphologies, only one of which is carnivorous. These stages have only recently been observed in culture. One of the strengths of this book is the generous space given to observations of the less-known genera. This was true of the author’s previous work, Pitcher Plants of the Americas, in the treatment of Catopsis, a near-carnivorous bromeliad.
For each genus the author includes a botanical history with extensive quotations from earlier works, structural detail, distribution and habitat, and general ecology...
The genus Drosera has about 188 species about half of which grow in Australia. Besides the two types of glands found in other genera, some species of Drosera have additional, more specialized glands. Much space is devoted to quoting from the Hartmeyers’ observations on specialized leaf structures (tentacles) including the lens-headed glands. The author divides Drosera into six geographic/life history groups and provides a table listing the species under each group, including the numerous tiny species of pygmy sundews...
The other large genus covered in the book is Pinguicula, which grows worldwide except, as the author notes, in Australia. Pinguicula is divided into three groups based on geography and differentiation of the leaves, which usually varies seasonally. The ability to form winter buds, or hibernacula, has enabled some species to extend their range into the Arctic Circle. The most exception Pinguicula species described in the book is P. elongata, with upright rounded leaves up to 20 cm long based on observations by the author in the paramo region of Venezuela.
Short chapters near the end of the book cover habitat loss and the threat of extinction, cultivation and horticulture, a list of specialized nurseries, a glossary, an appendix with conversion tables, a bibliography, an index to botanical names primarily and a biography and photo of the author. Chief threats to the habitats of the plants are discussed briefly: artificial drainage of wetlands, fire suppression, and commercial tree farming...
Glistening Carnivores is a welcome addition to the growing literature of carnivorous plants. It is distinguished by very attractive photography and numerous observations in the field.”
-- David M. Lane, Rhodora Vol 110, 2008,
Biological Sciences Library,
University of New Hampshire,
Durham,
New Hampshire,